How could she want to belong to anyone else, she thought. She screamed out as her body found paradise, her hands gripping his shoulders at the force of her release.
Perfection, he thought as his cock was gripped and released as she came. That was all it took, he couldn't hold back. With a deep growl, he filled her. It took several moments for him to realize he'd forgotten a condom, and he shook his head at his forgetfulness. "How do you feel about kids?" In all his years he'd never been so irresponsible, the things this beautiful woman did to him!
He untangled their bodies, and she looked at him perplexed. "I like kids." She had no idea why he chose this moment to bring it up.
Pulling her back under the water, he rinsed her off, hoping she wasn't going to be angry. "I forgot to use a condom."
He looked so horrified, she couldn't help but giggle. "I wouldn't mind having your child." Saying the words, she knew they were true. She really did like kids. The thought of ever meeting a man she'd be willing to have them with had been the problem.
"You should be kicking my ass right now." He shook his head, stepped out of the shower, and retrieved towels. He dried her off first, and then took care of his own needs. "I won't be that irresponsible again, Jessie girl, you have my word." If she wasn't pregnant now. He knew he was physically healthy. He'd always used condoms in the past, and had a yearly checkup.
"I think it takes two, Chase," she grinned. Walking over, she lifted up on her tiptoes to kiss his cheek. "I got on the pill after our first night together." The thought of having his child wasn't abhorrent though.
Sighing in relief, he smiled. "I think kids in the future would be nice. As long as they're planned." Pulling her into arms, he hugged her tightly. "Let's get back in bed." Without giving her time to accept or decline, he lifted her into his arms.
Laughing, snuggled back in his arms in bed again, she gave a content sigh. "I love you." She wanted to keep saying those words over and over.
"I love you, Jessie girl." He spent the rest of the evening showing her without words.
19 Jessie Girl
The last six months had been more incredible than any dream she'd ever had. She’d moved in with Chase last month and doing so had bonded them even more. Her mind had been opened to a world of incredible pleasures, things that would have seemed overwhelming before he'd walked into her life. Happiness couldn't even describe how loved and cherished she felt with her alpha male.
The book club meeting tonight was something she wasn't really looking forward too. Not because she didn't love her friends, but because she had her own love story to live and it was hard to leave him, if only for a night. Carolyn had become almost as dear to her as Amanda, since they played in the same world. It hadn't taken long to realize the small deception she'd taken part in by sending Chase to her that night in the dungeon had turned into a priceless gift she would never be able to repay.
The woman who walked into the meeting tonight was so different from the girl she had once been, she thought. Her beautiful master had given her confidence and helped her discover the strong, powerful woman who had been hiding behind the wallflower. No longer did she feel uncomfortable with her body. Being put on a pedestal by her lover had the most amazing effect on her self-esteem. There was no doubt in her mind that Chase loved everything about her.
Tonight she was dressed to accentuate her body’s features. Chase had taught her that dressing her body in flattering ways encouraged the world to see a confident woman who never felt out of place. The group of women she’d previously felt awkward around due to her lack of fashion sense now asked her where she purchased her clothing.
Sitting down with the group tonight, she glanced around with an air of confidence that came from knowing she was just as worthy as every other woman in that room. Liberating was how she explained her new life with Chase. He encouraged her to become a woman who knew who she was and what she required in life.
"Ladies, I know we were supposed to discuss the new book we added to our list last week, but I have a special surprise for you tonight." Carolyn smiled as she spoke.
Jessie glanced around at the other ladies then at Carolyn. She was curious about what could be more important than discussing the new book. It was actually one of her favorite new authors, so she hoped whatever Carolyn had planned would prove to be entertaining.
"If you would, follow me downstairs.” Seemingly unable to contain her glee, Carolyn laughed warmly.
Jessie stood and glanced at Amanda, then shrugged. Amanda's expression appeared as confused as her own. They followed Carolyn downstairs and collective gasps filled the room as they noticed the band set-up. She doubted her shock wasn't mirrored on the faces of the other ladies when they saw the lead singer. He was a pop idol icon from the eighties.
The song was one she knew well since Chase had a huge love of 1980's music and he'd dedicated that song to her one night while they were dancing. She was confounded. It seemed a little too coincidental that a band playing their song, just happened to be in Carolyn's basement. Her heart began to race.
At the end of the song, all the lights in the room dimmed for a brief moment. When they came back up seconds later, Chase was standing where the singer had been, holding a microphone. Jessie felt her heart flutter into her stomach as he gave that smile that always left her a little short of breath.
"Jessie girl, these last six months with you have been the greatest of my life. I know there will never be another woman who fills my heart the way you do. Would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?" He placed the microphone in the stand and walked the few feet over to join her before kneeling down. Holding up a beautiful solitaire diamond in a red velvet box, he looked up at her, his eyes filled with love.
Staring down into the most beautiful blue eyes she'd ever seen, tears of happiness slid down her cheeks. Nodding, too emotional to speak the words, she held out her trembling hand.
Sliding the ring on her finger, he looked up and smiled like a man who had just been given the greatest gift in the world. She would be his Jessie girl for all time. "I promise to spend the rest of my life making you happy."
Kneeling with him, she wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him as tightly as her small frame would allow. "I love you, Chase." Those words didn't even begin to express the emotion she had for this proud, gorgeous man. He'd given her so much. A lifetime wasn't even a sliver of the amount of time she needed to show how deeply she loved him.
The sound of laughter and clapping filled their ears as his lips found hers. They ignored the crowd. For that brief moment, it was just the two of them. He might be an alpha male, but his control vanished at the thought of knowing she was truly his now forever. "I'll never let you go, Jessie girl," he whispered.
"I would find you if you did," she said, laughing as they stood up together. She knew this moment in time would be engraved in her mind when she was telling their grandchildren about how he proposed.
The celebration of their engagement went on for hours. By the time the band had finally called it a night, both of them were looking forward to a little alone time. When Carolyn finally told the group she needed to call it a night, Chase and Jessie could only smile at each other, knowing finally they could leave without hurting anyone's feelings.
Jessie hugged Carolyn as they made their way to the front door. "Thank you for everything, Carolyn. This has been the most magical night of my life." That didn't even begin to express how appreciative she was for all this woman had done for her.
Hugging her back, Carolyn smiled in happiness. "I guess you never really know what goes on behind the scenes at a romance book club." She laughed deeply. "I know you’ll have a wonderful life together, Jessie." She hugged Chase as he appeared with their jackets. "Take care of her, Chase." Winking, she watched them walk out the door.
20 Epilogue
Sitting down at her computer, Jessie smiled at the finished rough draft manuscript filling the screen. Fifteen years ago she married the most wonder
ful man, and her life had been so full of great memories. Eventually she decided to write them all down.
Chase had given his blessing on the project, and even agreed to personally help her research if there were things she'd forgotten. Some interesting nights came from their so-called research. Glancing over at the still handsome man across the room in bed, she smiled lovingly.
She'd taken over Amanda's fathers company when he passed away three years ago, so the writing was just a part-time hobby. Amanda was enjoying her inheritance and had recently called from Paris telling her how much she enjoyed travelling now that she wasn't tied to a company she never wanted.
Chase had signed over Sensation's fully to Carolyn, and it was flourishing well under her ownership. His own business was doing even better than he'd considered possible, so they both had full lives outside of their marriage.
Their twins were almost teenagers now, and even though it was hard working away from home, they were doing well with the arrangement. Life had turned out just the way she'd always dreamed.
Saving the document to her hard drive, she couldn't wait to hear what the publisher thought. Romance Book Club, it seemed a fitting title to a romance that encompassed everything she was. Walking back to the bed, she slid in quietly beside Chase.
Scarlett’s
Temptation
Forbidden Delights
Michelle Hughes
Tears of Crimson Publishing
Copyright © 2013 by Michelle Hughes
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, write to the publisher, addressed “Attention: Permissions Coordinator,” at the address below.
Tears of Crimson Publishing
27687 AL Hwy 22
Verbena, AL 36091
www.tearsofcrimson.com
Publisher’s Note: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are a product of the author’s imagination. Locales and public names are sometimes used for atmospheric purposes. Any resemblance to actual people, living or dead, or to businesses, companies, events, institutions, or locales is completely coincidental.
Tears of Crimson Publishing ©2013
Scarlett’s Temptation/Michelle Hughes. -- 1st ed.
Chapters of Scarlett
Secrets
Awake
Lost
Learning Curve
Innocence
Dancer
Rebuff
Inhale
Watching
Roleplay
Nirvana
Her Pleasure
Ménage Trois
Regret
Giving In
Yes Ma’am
Office Affair
Relocating
Last Straw
Broken
Redo
Tempted
Full Circle
“One must do violence to the object of one's desire; when it surrenders, the pleasure is greater.”
― Marquis de Sade
Chapter One
Secrets
"This should be one of the happiest days of my life," Scarlett stomped her foot in agitation while mumbling under her breath. Four years of working her ass off to get this degree and she felt just as empty as she had when she stepped foot on the grounds of this institution of hiring learning. Stepping out on the green tonight, she would have a Bachelor's of Science Degree in Business. Not bad for a girl from nowhere Mississippi raised in a trailer park, so why the hell couldn't she be happy? The thought moved through her mind like a wave of depression she just wanted to wash over and get through.
Analyzing the situation, which was something she did on a regular basis, nothing made sense. If she was being honest with herself all she had focused on these last four years was the degree. Relationships were stupid traps for women that made them do dim-witted things, so she doubted that was the issue here. She'd decided after one horrible relationship in high school, and watching her parents turn into raving lunatics when their marriage started to deteriorate, that having a partner wasn't worthy of her time. Plus who the hell wanted to live out some existence where you're only desire was to make some man happy while he drained your body and emotions dry then walked out on you when you weren't young and sexy anymore?
Maybe it was the future, putting on a bare minimum of makeup she continued to dwell on her discontent, now that she finally had the degree life was uncertain. Jobs were really hard to come by these days, even with a college education. Over the next few months she would be lining up interviews, she hoped, but there was no guarantee she'd find her dream job. What really was her dream job? All she knew is that living in poverty was not her idea of an ideal life. She left Mississippi and moved out to Chicago for just that reason.
Thinking about the move here brought her mother's situation back to the front of her thoughts again. She could have done anything with her life, one night she'd found her mother's scrap book and there were pictures of her singing on a large stage in Nashville. She was so beautiful and full of life in those pictures, not like the worn out woman she left crying as she pulled her old pickup truck, the one thing her dad had gifted to her that she still owned, all those years ago on her way to college.
She refused to talk about her dreams and life on stage and Scarlett had discovered that not bringing it up was always the better idea. That sad look of desire on her face broke her heart and that woman deserved so much more than her useless excuse for a father had ever given her. Her mother hadn't been the same since her dad walked out on her with some twenty-something year old slut, and she couldn't stand to watch her mom torture herself any longer over what she'd done wrong. The entire summer after her high school graduation, she'd listened to her mom cry herself to sleep and it had become unbearable to live with.
Her dad, was just a piece of shit, in her opinion, and she hadn't spoken to him since he walked out. Having a stepmother the same age as she was had little bearing on her decision to ignore him. He was the epitome of everything she despised about men, and just another reason why she refused to allow herself to be trapped that way. So here she was a twenty-four year old virgin, completely fucked up and she still blamed it on him.
Pulling her long dark hair into a sensible flip, she stepped back and took a deep breath. Trying to get her emotions under control she knew Janie, her best friend since she moved to Chicago, would be here any minute and they would walk down the aisle together. Grinning at how screwed up that sounded even in her own mind, she thought that this was as close to a wedding march as she'd ever take.
Janie, was everything Scarlett wasn't. Outgoing, sexy, and dated anything with two legs and a dick. It didn't hamper their friendship in the least though. She admired Janie because she went after what she wanted and that included men. While Scarlett didn't get her craving for the species, she couldn't dislike her for it. Janie used men for what they were worth and moved on to the next hunk of the day. It was ironically funny to her that she didn't think less of Janie for how she treated men. If she had to rationalize it, the fact that Janie never made promises to these men and they still fawned over her like dogs in heat was probably the reason she saw nothing wrong in what she did.
Scarlett, I hope your ass is dressed girl, I'd hate to be late for our own graduation," Janie walked into her friend’s dorm room without knocking.
"In the bathroom," Scarlett shouted back putting on a coral colored lip gloss before joining her in the main room. As soon as her eyes found Janie she laughed. "Sorry babe but that gown does nothing for you."
"Smart ass," she quipped back and lifted the hem to her waist, "it's what underneath that really counts. Janie laughed at her friend’s
expression since she was wearing nothing underneath.
"Holy hell Janie," blushing furiously, she shook her head. Very little bothered her, but Janie was one of the few people that had the ability to shock her.
"Yeah I am hell on wheels," giggling she dropped the hem and put her hands on her small waist. "Get your ass in gear girl I want to get through this crap because I've got one hell of a party lined up when we're done."
Scarlett groaned out loud at her words. "Janie, you know I don't mind being your designated driver but at least tell me you won't be getting us kicked out of another bar tonight. Her friend had a temper and the last time they'd ventured out on the town a guy had gotten a little too friendly and she threw him across a table.
"This isn't that kind of party girlfriend," waggling her eyebrows she waved her hands in a frenzy. "Now get dressed so we can go!"
Scarlett decided not to ask. She'd been the non-drinking friend in this game since they'd met and there was no telling where Janie would land them on any given weekend. Over the years she had become Janie's substitute bodyguard when she had drank too much and it made her feel good that she had someone to look after.
She walked back into her bedroom and slid the graduation gown over her boring brown dress and grabbed her cap off the dresser. They made it to the ceremony just as it was about to begin and though she was excited to be receiving her degree, it was one of the most boring two hours of her life. When it was over she actually breathed a sigh of relief.
"I thought those people would never shut up," Janie laughed as she slid into her little two seat convertible.
"I'm with you there, but hey we finished!," Scarlett stared down at the leather case that held her degree before sliding into the passenger seat and putting on her seatbelt.
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