Harts of Arizona Series

by Yahrah St. John

  “You have children?” Addison asked, looking in Kenya’s direction. She hadn’t seen Kenya since her double wedding with Rylee and felt like she was out of touch.

  Kenya nodded. “Would you believe it—we have a set of twin girls.” She smiled, glancing over at her husband, Lucas, who’d arrived late to the concert but was able to join them later that evening.

  “Congratulations,” Addison said. It seemed like every woman related to the Harts was having babies.

  “Don’t worry, you’re next.” Rylee laughed.

  “Me?” Addison touched her cheek and gave Caleb a worried glance. He only shrugged as if he didn’t seem to mind that the women in his family had claimed her and couldn’t wait for him to impregnate her.

  “Oh, yes,” Chynna said with a mischievous smile. “The Hart men are very potent. We should toast to that ... Deacon.” She looked to her manager, who also could predict her needs, and soon the waitress was coming around with Cristal and handing them each a glass.

  “None for me.” Rylee shook her head.

  “Sparkling apple cider for my wife,” Amar said by her side.

  The waitress returned several moments later with cider for Rylee, and once they all had a glass, Chynna raised hers. “To Caleb and Addison.”

  The entire Hart clan lifted their glasses. “To Caleb and Addison.”

  Addison stared in disbelief at all the smiling faces around her. She’d always wanted to be part of a large family, and now they were welcoming her in like she’d always dreamed of. A tear trickled down her cheek as they all clicked flutes.

  Caleb had never had so much fun. Hanging out with his family like they used to do had been like old times. No, it was better than that because this time, he had Addison by his side. Unfortunately, his lady love had had one too many that evening and was a little bit tipsy as they walked back to her hotel room.

  It was nearly three a.m., and they’d all but shut down the club, laughing and talking and dancing in VIP, but eventually they’d all departed back to the hotel. Caleb’s plan had been to walk Addison back to her room and then begrudgingly return to his room and have a cold shower since Addison had made it clear that there would be no sex between them.

  It was a hard stance, but he’d understood why she felt the need. Their relationship had always been about sex, and this time she wanted more. So he was surprised when, as he turned on his heel to leave after dropping her off at her room, she stopped him and invited him in.

  He turned on the light at the entrance of the small room. “I’m just going to put you to bed,” Caleb said, “and head out.”

  She was stumbling as he walked her toward the king-size bed. She sat unceremoniously, and he bent down to remove the high-heeled sandals she’d been wearing.

  “My legs are smooth, right?” Addison said, giggling.

  “Yes, babe, they’re smooth.” In the metallic blouson top and pleather mini-skirt, it was hard for him not to notice. If he had his choice, Caleb would love to run his hands up and down her legs and other body parts if given the chance, but he’d promised himself he would be good. He removed one shoe and then the other and rose to his feet.

  “Where are you going?” Addison asked.

  “To my room. Let’s get you under the covers,” Caleb said and walked over to the other side of the bed to pull down the comforter. “Get inside.”

  “Don’t you want to join me?” Addison said as she slid between the covers still fully dressed, placed her head on the pillows and looked up at him.

  Damn, she looked so sexy. It reminded him of that night nearly four years ago in Vegas, when he wanted her something bad. So when Addison beckoned him with her index finger, despite his best judgment, he came toward her on the bed.

  That’s when her arms circled his neck, and she pulled him closer until he had no choice but to join her. His body slid over hers over the covers and the instant it did, heat swirled through him. They looked at each other for several moments before neither one of them could stop the inevitable.

  They kissed.

  As Caleb continued pressing his lips against hers, Addison did the same, then she did something out of character. She licked his lips from corner to corner, letting him know that she wanted more. So he gave it to her. He took over her mouth, deepening the kiss as he eased his tongue inside. The kiss felt so good and so right as if he’d come home. So he dove his tongue even further between her lips, probing her mouth and reacquainting himself with every nook and cranny.

  He had an overwhelming passion and primal need to taste her, to feel her. He plastered his body over hers and felt his erection begin to throb in his jeans. If he didn’t stop himself, this would get out of hand soon.

  But Addison was moaning and responding to his kisses, making it hard for Caleb to pull away and remember her edict of no sex.

  “Touch me,” she urged, pushing the covers away and placing his hands on her.

  “Addison, no!”

  “Please,” she begged. “I want you.”

  He’d told her to say that she wanted him and when she did, he would oblige. How could he deny her now, especially when she was squirming underneath him? In short, he couldn’t. His hands made their way up her mini-skirt to her panties and eased them down her legs, leaving her bare and open to his sight.

  Caleb smiled. What would it hurt if he just sampled a bit? They weren’t actually having sex, but he could give her the orgasm she craved. “Are you ready for me?” he asked, looking at her.

  She grinned wickedly, so he obliged by hiking up her skirt and placing her legs over his shoulders. Her breath quickened when he lowered his head. She may be a bit tipsy, but she knew what was to come—his tongue.

  He buried his face between her legs and slid his tongue between her womanly folds. She tasted just as good as he remembered, so he shoved his tongue deeper inside, greedily licking and lapping. Addison threw her head back and began undulating on the bed, desperate for more of what only Caleb could provide. He didn’t let up and relentlessly licked, flicked and teased until she convulsed and released a loud, throaty moan. Contractions swept through her, but he wasn’t done yet. Caleb didn’t know how long it would be before they would get to this point again, and he wanted to give her something to remember. When he continued thrusting his tongue inside her, she tightened her legs around his head like a vise, but he didn’t stop until the last spasm tore through her. Only then did he lift his head.

  Addison’s head fell backward against the pillows. He licked his lips one final time and said, “Goodnight, sweetheart.” He pulled the covers over her half-naked body and quietly left the room.

  When Addison awoke the next morning and stretched out over the bed, she was accompanied by a monster hangover. Why, oh why had she allowed herself to tie one on last night? Could it be because she’d felt like a part of the Hart family, where deep down she’d always felt she’d belonged? She’d felt that way since first meeting Duke and his daughters, and after the wedding weekend the feeling had only been reinforced. Last night, it had seemed predestined that she and Caleb would be together. And now they were.

  Speaking of Caleb, where was he? She didn’t remember much of last night, other than going to the club with his family and drinking bottles and bottles of Cristal. They must have come back to the hotel. How else to explain how she got here? But how had she gotten into bed?

  Instantly, Addison popped up. Had she and Caleb made love? Damn, she was trying to be smart about easing into a relationship with him. She turned to look at the other part of the bed, but it was empty. She was alone.

  Thank God! But her happiness was short-lived because when Addison threw the covers back, though she appeared fully dressed she realized she wasn’t wearing any panties.

  Sweet Jesus! Addison closed her eyes trying to recall the night before and how she’d made it to her room and ended up with no underpants. Th
at’s when a blurry image came to her: Caleb coming toward her on the bed and climbing on top of her. Then another flash—Caleb kissing her passionately. Then another—Caleb lowering his head between her thighs. Addison blinked rapidly, trying to think hard if it was last night or just a memory of years past. But it had to be last night, because her head wasn’t the only body part throbbing. She was throbbing between her legs, aching for more of what Caleb must have obviously given her.

  Another flash—Caleb feverishly tonguing her and making her come apart until she screamed. Addison placed her face in her hands. How could she have let this happen? She could blame it on the Cristal, but that wouldn’t be fair. Subconsciously there was a part of her that had wanted to be with him again, and he clearly hadn’t minded going there. But try as she might, there wasn’t a memory of them having sex. So had he really just given her the best head of her life and gone to his room?

  Her first instinct was to reach for her clutch lying on the nightstand and pull out her cellphone, but she needed to see him instead. Throwing back the covers, she headed for the shower.

  Ten minutes later, she was knocking on the door to his hotel room. He answered half-dressed, wearing jeans and no shirt. “Good morning, Addy. How are you feeling?”

  “Well, that depends on your answer,” she said, pushing past him into his room.

  “Excuse me?” Caleb closed the door.

  She had to ignore his impressive pectorals and six-pack abs and focus on the task at hand. “Didn’t we agree that we wouldn’t have sex last night?” Addison folded her arms across her chest, facing him as she stood in the middle of the room.

  Silence ensued, and Caleb lowered his head.

  “Well?”

  When he finally looked up, he said, “I wouldn’t consider what we did last night sex, at least not in the usual sense.”

  “So you’re denying that we made love?”

  “Yes.” He looked her directly in the eye, and Addison believed him. She sighed in relief. Her suspicions were confirmed, but she was livid that he hadn’t just put her to bed.

  “Alright,” she said, “we didn’t have intercourse, but we had sex.”

  “No, I gave you oral sex,” Caleb replied with a smirk as he turned his back to reach inside the closet and remove a button- down shirt, “which you seemed to enjoy immensely. I, on the other hand, came back to my room and took a cold shower.”

  “Why did you?”

  “Why did I what?” he asked, buttoning the shirt.

  “Why didn’t you make love to me last night? I know you could have, as it probably wouldn’t have taken much coaxing.” She had fuzzy images, but it was clear that she’d been the initiator.

  “Because, we agreed to not have sex,” Caleb responded. “And yes, I admit to being weak and not stopping at a kiss when you tried seducing me, but I’m a man. I’m only human.” He tucked the fully buttoned shirt into his jeans.

  Addison smiled as she stared at him. “Has anyone ever told you you’re a flirt?”

  He grinned broadly. “Many times.”

  “This can’t happen again, Caleb. We have to stick to the rules until we get to know each other. No deviations.”

  “Aye, aye, captain.” He saluted her. But he knew that it wasn’t in his nature to play by the rules. Last night was just the preview. And it was just a matter of time before they would have the whole show.

  Chapter 23

  Caleb stared out the window of Hart Enterprises and watched the five o’clock traffic begin in downtown Dallas. He thought about how his life had changed in the last couple of months. Having Addison choose to give their relationship another shot had been like the big man above giving him a second chance considering he’d already lucked out once by walking again.

  He was so thankful, and so now he was determined to prove to Addison that he could be the man she needed, the man she wanted, the man she would be proud to have on her arm. He called and texted her several times each day to wish her a good morning or just to see how her day was going. His attentiveness surprised her at first, but as he continued his quest, she began to relax and enjoy it—even expect it. One day, he had to go out of town for business and hadn’t had a chance to call. She’d given him hell when he returned, but then he realized it was because she’d been worried. So he’d promised to always try and call or at the minimum, text.

  Their dates had been simple yet frequent, whether it was dinner and a movie or vegging out on the sofa and watching Love Jones or The Notebook. He and Addison were getting to know each other on a deeper level outside the bedroom. For example, they were learning each other’s likes and dislikes. He learned that Addison liked fruit, but hated bananas because they were too mushy, while Addison learned he hated peas and most things green but could stomach the odd salad. He made sure he had lots of fruits and veggies stocked in his apartment. Her happiness meant everything to him.

  Caleb realized that during their first relationship incarnation, he’d been more interested in discovering her body rather than learning more about her. He’d matured since they’d last been together and knew that life wasn’t all about sex. In fact, he hadn’t had much of it the last few years. Considering he’d been such a horndog, it would probably surprise Addison to learn that although he hadn’t been celibate, he could count his sexual partners on one hand. That certainly wouldn’t have been the case four years ago, but then everything had changed.

  He’d had to learn the hard way that life is short and tomorrow isn’t promised. Consequently, he’d had to dig deep within to find the strength to keep trying even though the odds were against him. His parents, Duke, even Amar had flown in dozens of specialists who’d all told him the same thing: The odds of him ever walking again were unlikely. The best they could offer was some movement in his lower region and the ability to go to the restroom on his own. Most had even said he’d never recover his sexual function, which had nearly had him hitting the bottle for comfort.

  Thank God for Uncle Duke. He’d been a lifeline that Caleb had clung to and who, no matter how evil or foul-mouthed Caleb became, never gave up on him. Caleb could recall one instance in which Duke, fed up with Caleb’s insolence and treatment of his therapist, had poured a bucket of ice water all over him. It had been a rude awakening, but one that grabbed his attention. After that, Caleb had promised to behave, and he’d gone a step further and pushed himself harder than he ever had in his life ... and it had paid off.

  “Penny for your thoughts,” a feminine voice said from behind him.

  Caleb spun around and saw Addison in his office doorway. She looked completely sexy standing there in a vivid psychedelic orange print form-fitting dress. “Hey, you.” He walked toward her and pulled her into his office.

  He lowered his head and swept his lips over hers. She immediately parted her lips and allowed him entry to deepen the kiss. When he finally broke it, he looked at her. “What brings you by?”

  “Had a long day and was hoping we could grab a bite to eat.”

  “Sounds good to me. Let me grab my jacket.”

  They decided on a posh Japanese restaurant nearby that served some of the best sushi for Addison, but had a Hibachi grill for Caleb.

  “Tell me about your day,” Caleb said, laying a napkin across his lap once they were seated.

  Addison filled him in on the big client presentation she’d had. They were laughing about it when Caleb noticed color drain from her face. When he turned around, he saw Raphael approaching with another gentleman.

  Caleb wished Raphael would keep walking, but instead he came toward them.

  “Raphael, what are you doing here? I thought you’d gone back to Paris.” Addison rapidly fired off statements to him, showing Caleb just how nervous and uncomfortable she was with the situation.

  Raphael’s face crinkled. “I guess that would have been easier for you, huh? Unfortunately, since I came here
for you, I couldn’t up and leave. I do have a contract.”

  Addison nodded. “Of course. My apologies.”

  Raphael glanced at Caleb and then back to Addison. “No need to apologize. Clearly you’re happy with your choice.”

  Addison’s eyes became misty, and Caleb could see she was holding back tears. He reached across the table and squeezed her hand.

  “How touching,” Raphael commented, rolling his eyes. “Guess he really is the better man.”

  “Not better,” Addison said softly, “just the only man for me. And I’m sorry if that hurts you, Raphael, because I never meant to do that. I honestly never thought—”

  Raphael held up his hand to prevent her from speaking further. “I don’t need a repeat of our breakup. I hope he makes you happy, Addison. That’s all I’ve ever wanted for you.” He turned and walked away.

  Addison glanced upward, blinking back the tears, but Caleb didn’t let go of her hand. “I’m sorry,” she said and rushed from the restaurant and onto the patio.

  Caleb was hot on her heels. Thanks to the cool evening air, there weren’t any patrons eating outside. “Why are you sorry?” he asked when he reached her and spun her around.

  “Because—”

  “Because you moved on with your life? I don’t blame you for falling for another man, Addison. How can I? I pushed you away.” Caleb stared at her.

  “You’re so quick not to blame me for putting us in this awkward situation with Raphael and just moving on with our lives, but we haven’t really dealt with the past.”

  “I don’t follow.”

  “You have to forgive yourself for your perceived weakness,” Addison responded. “You were under tremendous physical and emotional duress. Your entire life had been turned on its head. You weren’t thinking clearly when you asked me to leave. And if I hadn’t been so young, I would have understood that and I would have stayed. I should have stayed.” Tears began flowing down her cheeks, and Caleb reached out to catch them with his hand.