Forever His Desire

by Valerie Lynne

  “Sorry to interrupt,” the waitress said, her eyes wide as she placed a plate of scrambled eggs before Katie, a veggie omelet before Victoria, and an English muffin before Jennifer. Another waitress stood beside her, holding a plate on each arm. “Those are for this gentleman, Mary,” the waitress told the other woman.

  Once their meals were on the table, Shane watched as the two waitresses left. Then turned his attention back to Jennifer. “An English muffin?” he questioned, spiking a forkful of home fries on his plate. “It’s a start. Eat. It’s the first step in regaining your health. Tomorrow, we’ll attend your first AA meeting. I’ll give you the directions before we leave. The meeting begins at 7:00 a.m. I’ll meet you there at 6:45.”

  Chapter 22

  Four years later

  Andre

  The point guard dribbled the basketball down the court, passing it quickly to the shooting guard who quickly released the ball. Andre sucked in a breath, mesmerized by the players as the chaos in the bar careened to an abrupt halt. All eyes fixated on the large screen televisions that lined the walls. The silence was deafening as the patrons waited on baited breath. From the table beside him, a shriek erupted while a cute, curly-haired blonde nibbled at the tips of her fingers, her eyes huge as the basketball floated above the players and toward the net. Come on! Come on! Andre slapped his palms onto his knees, back rigid as he willed the ball into the basket. “Yeah!” Andre threw his hands in the air, screaming wildly as the basketball swished through the hoop.

  “Get you another beer?” a waitress hollered above the roar of the crowded Irish pub.

  “That would be mighty nice of you,” Blake answered, his eyes bulging as they locked on the cotton T-shirt stretched across her buxom chest.

  Andre nodded, taking a swig from his half-empty beer. “Thanks, Autumn.”

  “Anything for you, Andre,” she answered in a clipped accent.

  “Fuck you,” Blake hissed under his breath. “As if having every woman in Newport lust after you isn’t enough, now the lassie has the hots for you, too. Fucking bullshit.”

  Andre smirked. “Since when did you become such a pussy? What’s stopping you from asking her out?”

  “I have asked.”

  “Shot you down?”

  Blake nodded. “Repeatedly.”

  Andre shrugged. “Smart woman.”

  Blake clenched his jaw and ground out, “To hell with you.”

  “Don’t be a hater,” Andre said. “You know she’s here on a work visa. Eventually, she’s got to go back to Ireland anyway. No sense getting serious with someone who’d become a dead end.”

  “And that, my friend, is the beauty of it.” Blake craned his neck back, gulping down his beer. “Most people think love em’ and leave em’. I say love em’ and let them leave me. No hard feelings that way.”

  “I’ll take your word for it. How could I forget?” Andre shook his head. “You’re not looking for anything beyond one night.”

  “I see a victory party in our future.” Blake jutted his chin toward the bar, drawing Andre’s attention toward the youngest O’Halloran sibling. “Think Katie and some of her friends would like to come to my party?”

  “No, she’s way too young. Besides, people have Super Bowl parties, not March Madness parties.”

  “No shit, Sherlock. But that would be predictable.” Blake drummed out an offbeat tune against the tabletop. “I’m known for spontaneity amongst ladies of all ages. Besides, Katie is Autumn’s cousin. I’ve never fucked cousins before.”

  Andre swallowed hard, choking on his beer. “The little girls you fuck around with are barely legal. They’ve no idea how to be a lady. Katie’s a good girl. Besides, I think she’s only about twenty-one years old. Just turned legal, man. From what I understand, she’d been dating a guy while studying overseas in Ireland. She doesn’t need you to corrupt her into thinking that all American men are like you.”

  “But they are legal, Sherlock. And what the hell difference do you care if I fuck around with Katie and Autumn? Jealous?”

  “Seriously, dude. Don’t fuck with Katie. She’s not that kind of girl. Besides, her brothers will kick your ass if you so much as look at her the wrong way.” Andre slapped his best friend on the shoulder, trying to ease the sudden tension. “And please, do me a favor—stop adding Sherlock to the end of your sentences. It’s really not cool.”

  Blake snickered. “Whatever you say, dumbass. You’ll be thanking me after they blow you.” Blake picked up his bottle, waving it between his fingers. “You know what your problem is?”

  Andre raised a brow. “I wasn’t aware that I had a problem.”

  “You’re too fucking straightlaced, you self-righteous prick.”

  “Nice. Real nice. And you call yourself my friend.” Andre chuckled. “At least I’m not a cradle-robber.”

  Once again, Blake nodded towards the bar. This time his attention was focused on a curvaceous auburn-haired woman who Katie and Autumn leaned over the bar talking to. “That hot thang is going to be the first on my guest list.”

  Andre’s focus shifted to the beautiful woman seated at the polished wooden counter. Lazily, his dark eyes traveled from the tip of the black patent leather stiletto dangling enticingly from the toe of her sexily arched foot and up the length of her shapely calf. His cock twitched, his mind flashing with images of those creamy white legs wrapped around his waist. His gaze rested on the top of the sheer lace thigh-high stocking which peeked out beneath the edge of her skirt. “Think again, Hot Shot.”

  Blake squinted harder, his smirk fading with recognition. “Shit, man. I didn’t realize it was Jenn. When did she change her hairstyle? Believe me, man, I didn’t see her face. I’d never hit on your woman.”

  “She’s not my woman. You know as well as I do that as far as Jenn’s concerned, she’s never going to be my woman again. Don’t you remember shortly after Michael was born that I was stupid enough to believe we might actually become a couple again? Jenn let her guard down briefly when she realized I wasn’t going to pursue a relationship with Rosalyn. Between all the stress of the holiday season and her concern over Vicki, I really thought we had a chance. I listened to her fears about Vicki’s relationship with Henry, dried her tears when she thought she’d lose her livelihood, and held her as Vicki lay in a hospital bed after surviving a brutal attack. But then Rosalyn started stirring up trouble again and it all became one epic fail,” Andre said, preoccupied with the clean-cut young man who was eyeballing her. Dressed in a preppy green polo shirt, which probably cost more than Andre made in a day’s work, the stranger moved towards the bar.

  “How could I forget. You can’t make up shit like that. It’s a fucking soap opera.” Blake nudged him with his elbow. “Maybe you should go over there before that cocky prick puts his ass on the empty seat beside her.”

  “She eats his kind for breakfast. She’ll chew him up and spit him out before he even knows what happened.” Andre assessed the stranger. His years on the force had helped him to develop a keen ability to read people. He could spot their kind in a second. Newport was inundated with the cocky billionaire wannabe playboys. Irresponsible and reckless, they’d sleep throughout the day and carouse the streets at night. They’d host wild parties in their rented town houses by the beach, womanizing and boozing as they attempted to fuck their way through the small tourist town.

  Hands in his tailored trousers, the young man stood beside the empty barstool. He doesn’t have a prayer, Andre thought, but couldn’t fault him for trying. But he doubted very seriously that the dude could handle a woman like his Jennifer.

  Seated in the shadows, Andre never removed his eyes off of Jennifer, prepared to intervene should her game of cat and mouse get out of hand. He reclined against the back of his chair waiting for the show to start. Andre suspected Jennifer wouldn’t take long to bring the dick to his knees.

  Chapter 23

  Jennifer

  “Mind if I join you?” The bastard had the audaci
ty to place his boney ass on the stool before she could acknowledge him.

  “By all means. Don’t let me stop you,” Jennifer answered, barely sparing the stranger a glance as she was too preoccupied by Andre to care. She’d seen Andre seated at one of the tables with Blake when she’d arrived. Normally, she’d have turned around and walked away, but tonight for some reason she hadn’t wanted to. Hoping that he’d not notice, she’d snuck several peeks at him from the corner of her eye, her hackles rising when she noted the waitress, Autumn, flirting with him.

  “What can I get you?” Liam O’Halloran, co-owner of the popular locale whipped his white cloth over the countertop cleaning the sticky surface.

  “Bud Light and whatever this gorgeous lady desires.”

  Jennifer downed the last of her cranberry and ginger ale and pushed her empty glass towards the bartender. When the college boys came to town, they loved to whip out their wallets, letting their billfolds make up for their inexperience. Little did this kid know that the only reason she was spending her night at the bar was to see Katie. She’d missed her terribly while she was studying abroad. Although, hanging out at a bar was a bit of a test to her sobriety since she hadn’t had a sip of alcohol in several years.

  “What’s your name, college boy?” She tapped one French-manicured fingertip against her lips, deciding to have a bit of fun. She smiled when the barely legal man-boy shifted uncomfortably in his seat, then arched her brow, her eyes lowering to his crotch.

  He swallowed, his Adam’s apple bobbing up and down. “Al.”

  “And, what pray tell is Al short for?” Jennifer asked, her voice laced with feigned interest while her finger toyed for his attention, journeying from her ruby-red lips over her long neck and stopping to rest above the abundant swell of her breasts.

  His eyes bulged as they lay fixated on her chest. “Um...Alden Harrington Colchester III.”

  “Colchester?” Jennifer cooed, the tip of her fingernail drawing invisible swirls over the delicate flesh. “There’s something important about that name. I’ve heard it before.”

  Al sat perfectly erect, his shoulders squared as if he were about to reveal the crown jewels. “My great-grandfather was quite prosperous. I’m sure you’re familiar with the Colchester Estate on Bellevue Avenue.”

  “Well, I’ll be.” Jennifer slapped her palm against the counter. “I had no idea I was sitting with royalty.”

  Chest puffed out, Al said, “I’ve got the keys if you’d like a private tour.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a large gold key, waggling it above the counter. “Want to get to know each other better?”

  Jennifer leaned in closer, her lips inches from his. “Why, Mr. Alden Harrington Colchester III, I do believe you are propositioning me. So now it’s time for me to set things straight.”

  Al’s shoulders slumped.

  “If I were to join you at your great-grandfather’s estate I think I’d be making a grave mistake. You see, I’ve had the misfortune of relations with your kind before. If you do succeed in getting that little gherkin of yours to rise to the occasion, I’m certain you’d only pre-ejaculate leaving me highly dissatisfied. I’m a busy woman, Mr. Alden Harrington Colchester III. I simply cannot be bothered wasting my time on a useless fuck. Now, please move your boney ass away from me and run along.” Jennifer waved her delicate fingers in dismissal.

  Andre

  “Excuse me, Blake. I think it’s time I say hello to Ms. Jordan.” Andre stood up from the table.

  Blake slapped him on the shoulder. “Good luck, man.”

  Purposefully, Andre strode across the room. Knowing better than to ask for Jennifer’s permission, he took the liberty of lowering his body onto the recently vacated barstool beside her. “Take no prisoners, huh?”

  “Never,” Jennifer answered. “Why should I?”

  “Well, that depends on the situation.”

  “Do tell?” She braced her elbow on the counter, cupping her palm beneath her chin.

  His heart skipped a beat. Her willingness to converse surprised him. Whenever he’d attempted to speak with her before, Jennifer was quick to come up with an excuse not to. She’d had four long years in which to master her evasiveness. There was absolutely no way he’d fuck up now. Not when by some miracle she was willing to converse with him tonight. “You’re too much of a woman for that cocky bastard. Poor guy has no idea how to handle a woman like you.”

  Her eyebrow popped up in question, arching beautifully as she chortled. “Handle?”

  The corner of Andre’s lip curled up into a sly smile; her breathy laugh still held the power to enchant him. “That’s right.”

  “You say you like your women submissive, Officer Jenkins, but I know better.”

  “I like you soft, wet, and wild.” Andre rubbed his hand over his well-groomed goatee for a moment before adding, “Preferably cuffed to the bed posts.”

  “Hmm.” Jennifer lifted her drink up. Fire shot through his veins as he watched her luscious lips curl over the edge of the glass. After taking a sip, she jutted the tip of her tongue and licked the residue from her lips. “You’d have to arrest me first.”

  “I’ve got connections.” He chuckled, his blood simmering with desire. “I’ll have a warrant drawn up.”

  Jennifer’s hand disappeared below the bar, her palm scorching Andre’s muscular thigh as she brazenly placed her hand inches from his groin. “And what am I guilty of, Officer Jenkins?” Her breast brushed against his bicep as she moved closer to his ear. “Making you hard?”

  His cock pulsed. “Guilty as charged, sweetheart.”

  Jennifer released a throaty laugh. “I don’t have a heart and I’m sure as hell not sweet.

  It’s now or never, Andre decided, standing up. Their chemistry was still there even after all the nights spent apart. “I’ll be the judge of that.” With more confidence than he really had, Andre proffered his hand. “Come home with me.”

  Chapter 24

  Jennifer

  Jennifer worried her bottom lip, her attention fixated on Andre’s open palm. Just once? She unclasped her fingers, her pulse thumping. A one-night stand. People do it all the time, she bargained with herself, her fingers trembling as she started to reach for his hand.

  Andre cleared his throat. Instinctively, her lips quirked. She’d always known when he was anxious by that one simple action. “What do you say, Blue Eyes?” he questioned. “Come home with me.”

  He’d called her Blue Eyes. She jerked her hand back. How dare he use that name so casually. Once it had rolled off his tongue so naturally. But no. He’d lost the right to call her that. “Not happening.” Jennifer shook her head, perhaps more to convince herself than him.

  “You’re always so damn stubborn. It’s just one of the many reasons I can’t get you out of my head.”

  Her fingers clenched, fisting into a tight ball atop her lap. “Well, you’re not in mine. So get over it.”

  “Liar,” he mocked her. “I know you way too well to believe that. I saw you spying on Blake and me.”

  “I most certainly did not!” Her eyes shot up to glare at him. “You are such a cocky bastard,” Jennifer said, despising the fact that he was right. She shifted uncomfortably on the barstool, her body trembling with both rage and unwanted desire as she uncrossed her legs and squeezed her thighs together. “You know as well as I do that it would be a terrible idea if I went home with you.”

  Intense, deep brown eyes bore down into her own as if challenging her to deny the chemistry between them. “I disagree,” he said. “I think it’s the best idea I’ve had in a long time.”

  Memories she’d wished to forget flashed to the forefront of her mind. Their bodies entwined together, each of them slick with sweat. The taste of her unique salty flavor coating his soft, full lips as he ravished her mouth. The strength of his arms as he pinned her against him, her breasts crushed against his broad chest. The heady scent of sex that surrounded them as she lay beneath him, their soft moans ele
vating into high-pitched screams of passion.

  “Jenn?”

  “What!” Reality slapped her in the face as indecision swarmed within her. She couldn’t—shouldn’t do this.

  Andre flashed a heart-melting smile, her resolve waning. Hot and wet, her body ignited into a blazing inferno. There had always been something about the way Andre Jenkins’ smile completely turned her to mush.

  Andre

  Andre’s heart hammered, his pulse racing. Do it. Take my hand. As if he could silently will her to consent, he waited, standing like a statue before her. He wasn’t too proud to beg; God knew, he’d done it thousands of times before. He stared as emotions played out across her face. He knew damn well she’d never admit it, but she was scared. Tonight though, something was different, her stone-cold resistance seeming to have cracked the slighted bit. Let me in.

  A heavy ache tingled through his arm. A lifetime could pass, but he’d never back down. Not now. He wouldn’t lower his hand. This was his chance. Jennifer wanted him and he wanted her. Patience, he reminded himself as he cleared his throat. Was that a grin? His gaze flew to her mouth, noting the smug half grin. Ah...she knows me too well.

  Wordlessly, Jennifer slid from the barstool. Small and dainty, her fingers moved into his palm. Relief swept over him as he closed his hand around hers. Jennifer Jordan might be petite but she was fierce. Gorgeous aqua-blue eyes flickered up at him, the desire in their gaze making his cock twitch. Andre leaned down, purposefully rubbing his stubbled chin against the delicate flesh beneath her ear. “I’ll make sure you won’t regret it.”

  “Talk is cheap, Big Boy,” Jennifer replied on a rushed breath before making an obvious attempt to shift the power exchange between them back to her. With her free hand planted on the curve of her hip, she raised an eyebrow. “Are we going to stand here all night or are you going to let your cock do the talking?”