Warriors,Winners & Wicked Lies: 13 Book Excite Spice Military, Sports & Secret Baby Mega Bundle (Excite Spice Boxed Sets)

by Selena Kitt

  As he was taking the things they got out of the shopping bag, Celine strolled into the kitchen wearing a short simple purple dress with yellow dots on it.

  “Come closer. I want to take a look at you.” She made a pirouette in the middle of the living area. “You look stunning, baby.”She blushed and sat down on the sofa. She was holding a tube in her hand and prepared to unscrew the top.

  “What’s that? Don’t tell me it’s lube!”he laughed as he abandoned the food and came to sit on his knees in front of her.

  She laughed too as if his laughter was contagious. “No, silly. It’s for my sore muscles that could use your divine hands giving me a leg and foot massage.”

  He took the tube out of her hand and did as requested while she relaxed on the comfy sofa.

  “Can I stay or do you want me to leave?” he asked while rubbing her heels in circular movements for the lotion to get in faster.

  The man was so adorable in his uncertainty that she couldn’t say no. She liked being around him. He made her laugh and his constant touching stirred the fire inside her. She had never felt so desired in her life. Unfortunately, she knew it wouldn’t be too long before he got tired of her. Of her lack of personality as her ex-boyfriend had put it. Yes, she was shy and she liked to help other people, but that didn’t mean she didn’t have a personality.

  She decided not to risk saying she liked having him around. Instead she just added “I could use some time to process what has just happened. Before my storm of a friend arrives.”

  Chapter 9

  Celine hadn’t heard anything from Ryan since she asked him to leave on Sunday evening. Today was Wednesday.

  A part of her was happy he hadn’t come over or called, but the other parts of her body and soul just wanted him to call or show up or something. Anything just to keep his word when he had said he was interested in her. It was true she wanted not to get hurt again and she was willing to pay any price necessary for this not to happen again, but she felt they had a connection and hoped he wasn’t like her dumbass ex-boyfriend.

  She had only met him a few days ago. Not even a week had passed and she ached for his touch like they had been separated for a very long time. That wasn’t her. You have to forget about him. He has forgotten about you. Hasn’t called. Hasn’t been around. You were just a one night stand for him and that’s the end of it, Celine. She decided the voice in her head was right and she had to forget about him.

  Celine had been busy with Tony ever since her friend arrived. The woman was unstoppable. She was a force of nature. Celine hadn’t managed to get any days off because her boss was a tyrant. He wanted to control every employee and make slaves out of them. The good news about not taking any holidays was that they got paid more, but today Celine had woken up feeling so exhausted and with the nastiest cold that she had to take the rest of the week off. She had been to the doctor’s office first thing in the morning and solved her medical leave problem. Every time she took time off, she ended up worrying sick about losing her job. Good thing Tony was there to keep her company and distract her from her problems. She hadn’t mentioned Ryan to her because now she was completely sure it had been a one night stand. A satisfying and unforgettable night, but a one nightstand nevertheless.

  Her kitchen looked like it had been hit by a bomb. She wasn’t the tidiest person in the universe, but it usually was cleaner than this. The previous night Tony had offered to cook. Celine wondered what had gotten into her because she never cooked. Tony was more the take out type of person. When she asked Tony about it, her friend said she was a real cook, certificate, experience and the like. She had been a cook for the last two years. Celine couldn’t be happier to have someone cook for her, especially because her body still hurt and every time she moved, her soul remembered Ryan. Every time she sat down she prayed she wouldn’t have to stand up because of how sore she was. Damn man!

  Tony’s cleaning skills were disastrous because she wasn’t very organized, but the result was absolutely delicious. She even prepared one of those keep-in-the-fridge-till-it’s-ready-cakes. Celine was alone now and would be for the rest of the day so her plan was to have some of that cake and then go to bed. It was only noon, but she was so drowsy she couldn’t even process anything. Still staring at the cake in hopes her not-so-Superman-vision would warm the damn thing, she noticed there was a plastic bag she didn’t recognize next to one of the armchairs in the living room.

  She knew Tony would never touch one of those plastic bags since she was a teenager, Celine carefully got up to check out the content of the bag. She tried to pick it up without bending and she actually managed. Satisfied with how flexible her body was, even though she wasn’t exactly supermodel size, she peeked inside it.

  Inside there were some mountain plants, moss and even the tiniest fir tree she had ever seen. Oh, no! Ryan must have forgotten the bag. He had been very excited about the plants he had found in the forest when they went hiking that Sunday. She still couldn’t believe he had convinced her to do those things. First, going up there in the mountains, then eating her pussy all night long like a pro, then making her breakfast and finally taking her hiking. So many things changed in only one day. Her ex had never offered to devour and worship her lady parts, had never made her come and had never wanted to have so much sex. He had never taken her hiking, hadn’t even known she was terrified of going up there even though they lived two hours away from the mountain.

  Ryan had been so different from her ex, yet so similar. Both dumped her when they no longer needed her. The hole her boyfriend had left in her heart had been deepened that morning when he showed up at her door to surprise her on her birthday. She couldn’t help wondering if she had done something wrong. Oh, no you don’t, Celine! Don’t go there. He is the last thing you need. He’s not worth your time and tears if he is a jerk.

  He was a jerk and she was upset he hadn’t been around for almost three full days now. Scorching tears fell down her cheeks and she wanted to throw the bag straight in the bin. She looked at the tiny flowers that had bloomed despite being in a plastic bag and she couldn’t do it. All kinds of bad feelings like remorse and guilt made their way to the surface until she couldn’t breathe. She had to do something with them. They had survived for three days in there and they deserved a chance. She remembered him saying something about wanting to make a terrarium. Celine had no idea what that was, but man’s best friend – Google –might know something about it.

  She left the bag on the chair next to hers and went in search of her laptop. Google had the answers indeed. Even for people as impractical as she was. Good thing she remembered the name. Terrariums.

  The ways to create a terrarium for yourself were endless, the size and the shape of the container didn’t matter and she liked the idea. All she needed based on her research on several sites was a glass container, activated charcoal, potting soil, small plants, moss, gloves and rocks. Some were, of course, easier to find than others, but it was a nice project to dive into to distract and, at the same time, remind herself of Ryan.

  This wasn’t one of her best days, so she wrote everything down – the materials and the instructions - and headed to sleep the damn cold off. Maybe later that day she would start preparing for this project.

  * * *

  Sleep was indeed very helpful, so after Celine woke up feeling ten times better, but still looking quite sick, she grabbed the list, her bag and car keys and headed to the nearest Home Depot.

  Some two hours later, she was home, at the kitchen table where this whole madness had started. She looked at the stuff she had gotten and felt excited about the pretty bauble-shaped glass containers she ordered from her neighbor, Suzanne, the amazing glassblower. It wasn’t the first time she had used her services. Celine was absolutely in love with the colorful vases Suzanne had made for her in the past. She had jars and jugs around the house that she could use, but she was feeling in the mood for something new and shiny in her house. Celine rarely bought anything for hers
elf. She had been saving money for years. Ever since she got dumped she swore she would never get into a relationship. They were messy and she wasn’t too excited about being dumped again after she put her heart and soul into it. She was no nun. She went on dates her friends pushed her into going, but that was where she drew the line and put a stop to her friends trying to hook her up with guys.

  * * *

  Having days off was both terrifying and thrilling for Celine. She hadn’t had this many days off for three or four years. The thought of going back to work and finding mountains of paperwork on her desk made her stomach sick and it ruined her holiday mood. It was a lovely hot summer day which she planned of absorbing by being outside.

  If only you weren’t still sore and down with flu-like symptoms, she thought as she entered Suzanne’s shop. Her skin tingled with excitement. Wow. She hadn’t felt this giddy in ages.

  She had arrived early and Suzanne still had to wrap the glass containers she had made, so Celine sat in the lounge and waited. Need pooled in her belly and her face started burning. She was busy texting, so she didn’t even notice that someone had come in.

  She pressed send and looked up.

  Ryan was standing in the door. He looked like he wanted to come in, but he was just glued to the spot, holding the door with his right hand. He didn’t look like he might want to turn around and leave. His hungry eyes locked with hers and she wanted to jump in his arms and kiss him, but that wasn’t the best idea since he was there by chance only. Just the sight of him made her so angry she didn’t know how to deal with it.

  He also hadn’t expected to see her by the look in his eyes. He licked his lips and opened his mouth to speak, but didn’t get the chance.

  Right that moment, Suzanne came in with Celine’s order. “This is for you, Celine.” She stopped and looked at them, sensing she had interrupted something.

  “Ryan! Your order’s ready too.”

  He cleared his throat. “Thanks, Suzanne.”

  Celine didn’t want to be around him right now for several reasons she didn’t want to think about. She wasn’t sure she could say anything without biting his head off. Instead, she snatched the box from her neighbor’s hands and headed to the door, ready to elbow him hard if he didn’t move.

  He did move, but only to grab her hand. “Wait, Celine. Can we talk?”

  She wanted to say yes, but she held her ground. “No. Let go of me.”

  Suzanne excused herself and disappeared. Only nobody heard her. They were wrapped in their own bubble, busy staring at each other.

  Ryan’s senses had been assaulted by the sweetest lily aroma he had ever inhaled and the moment Ryan walked in, he was surprised to find Celine there. The woman he had this irrational fascination for. He dreamed of her every night after they had met. The most erotic dreams of biting and claiming her as his. If only he hadn’t been swamped by work. If only he knew how to juggle having both a personal life and a professional one. He had no clue and now she didn’t even want to look at him. He wanted to take her into his arms and show her how hard she made him and how much he wanted her. The growing desire in him wasn’t only physical. It was like his soul wanted to be near her too.

  She was determined to be the one who dumped him, not the other way around.

  “Give me a chance to explain myself. I missed you, sugar,” he murmured. His guilty face wasn’t a good enough of a reason, but his touch and the way he called her “sugar” made her melt on the spot.

  She didn’t back down. “You’re very good with words, but I’ve heard all that before. I’m not interested, Ryan,” she said still looking at his hand on her arm.

  “I think you need some reminding of how good I am with other things. I know how wet you are, baby. You can’t lie to me,” he said as his hand travelled south in the direction of her crotch.

  She blushed at the realization that she was indeed more worked up than she wanted. The man had only touched her arm and she couldn’t control her lady parts. Jeez, Celine!

  She grabbed his hand in mid-air and almost moaned “Don’t do that!” That action alone threw her off balance and she grabbed the door to steady herself.

  “Easy, baby. You look ill. When was the last time you had something to eat?”

  She could read concern written all over his face. “Yesterday. I think I have a stomach bug or something. I’ll be fine in a few days. Don’t worry about it,” she said trying to sound cool.

  “Let me carry those. I want you in one piece.”

  Chapter 10

  Seeing her that pale and with those deep dark circles under her eyes triggered a very protective side of Ryan. His bear had been about to tear through his skin, but he somehow managed to control it. He wasn’t even sure it was possible anymore. The bear had calmed down ever since he had gotten out of his car in front of Suzanne’s shop. The only reason was Celine. Her presence reassured the bear that everything was okay. It made him flood Ryan’s mind with images of them in bed and him biting her. His bear was getting more and more desperate.

  He needed a chance to explain his absence and he wanted to do that on her territory. She had to feel comfortable with him first. He was still working on this. He had to tell her how much he needed her in his life. That his bear was crazy enough to think she was the perfect one for his cubs. This sounded batshit crazy. How was he going to explain to her something as unbelievable as a man changing into a bear? Maybe if she got a chance to get to know him better she would trust him and understand how serious he was about their relationship. He wasn’t quite sure how to check if she was indeed pregnant, but he had to be near her to do that. Dylan had said his sensitive nose would be able to sense the subtle changes in her body and then he would know.

  She hadn’t accepted his help, but Ryan had stalked her home. Satisfied to see she was safe inside, he headed for his restaurant. He needed something he could cook for her to make her feel better. Apparently chicken soup was the answer for every health problem known to man, so he grabbed everything he needed, mint and chamomile tea included and drove to her place.

  Celine couldn’t believe her eyes when she saw the smoking-hot man in front of her. She was expecting Tony, but she got Ryan instead. Wearing dark-blue jeans and a mint shade t-shirt that hugged his intimidating torso and carrying a bag, he made his way into the kitchen without even being invited. Persistent and so tempting, but he was trouble. So much trouble.Too much trouble.

  She had planned to start work on her terrarium project, but had abandoned it for a hot bath and she was preparing to go to bed. She wasn’t wearing anything other than a cotton nightgown with bunnies on it, so she pulled her plum bathrobe around her.

  “What are you doing here?”

  “Taking care of you,” he said with the sexiest grin she had seen.

  “You don’t strike me as the type who fucks-you-and-then-comes-back-to-take-care-of-you, so you’d better go before my friend Tony comes back and kicks your ass,” she said well-aware that wasn’t even a threat given that he was the size of an ogre.

  “As much as I would like to see her try, I think she will be too impressed to see a guy who cooks to even care that I shouldn’t be here,” he said in the confident tone she was already getting used to hearing, while he was filling her kitchen counter with the many things he had brought.

  She was feeling too sick to even care that he had just barged in her house and made himself at home in her kitchen, so she sat on the chair nearest to him. Aware they were so close, his hands itched to touch and his lips yearned to kiss her. His bear needed her touch.

  “Do you have a fever?” he asked as he walked her way and before she knew it, he kneeled in front of her and cupped her cheeks.“You are burning up, baby. You shouldn’t be here. Let’s get you to bed.”

  She was so mesmerized by his touch that she didn’t know what answer was best “Your fault!”or “You should do something about it!” Instead she said nothing and just leaned in and kissed him. The moment their lips united she wa
s reminded of the passion he stirred in her. Not breaking the kiss, he carried her to the bedroom. He tucked her in and kissed her forehead. As much as he wanted to fuck the cold out of her system, he knew that wasn’t the way to go. She was human. She had other needs. She had to be cared for.

  Her heavy eyelids were fighting her for dominance. She grabbed his hand. Darkness was threatening to engulf her. “Stay. Please.”

  “I’m not going anywhere, sugar. Sleep now. Food will be ready when you wake up.”

  Serenity covered her and the last thing Celine felt before drifting away to sleep was Ryan kissing her knuckles. Under that though exterior he is sweet, she thought.

  * * *

  Celine was jolted awake by sudden hunger. It felt as if she was electrocuted. Her eyes fluttered open without her consent and she was suddenly wide awake. And starved. She remembered something about Ryan being in her house, so she hurried to the kitchen to check if he was still there.