by Lily Graison
She grabbed onto his shoulders, rocking against him.
It was hurried, a frenzied act that left her lips swollen from his kisses, her skin bruised from his grip on her, and when they rushed toward orgasm, she knew Bobby heard her scream. She couldn't find a reason to care.
When their breathing returned to normal and the tingles stopped running laps down her spine, she raised her head. “So, was it good for you?"
He laughed, grabbing the back of her head and kissing her. “The best,” he said, when he broke the kiss.
She laid her forehead against his, sighing. There was so much she wanted to say but didn't dare. She'd come to New York with one goal in mind and she'd accomplished it. Losing her heart in the process hadn't been on her agenda and neither was the tug of war her conscious was waging with her. She wanted to stay, but more than anything, she wanted him to want her to stay.
Bobby's voice filtered into their little haven and Roxy looked up when he said they were approaching the airport. She reluctantly extracted herself from Luke's arms, trying to tidy her appearance while he did the same. When they were both presentable, she turned to look at him.
There wasn't anything to say, really. What could she say? Thanks for a great time? You were better than I imagined? You made me fall in love with you and now I can't have you?
As the limo pulled to a stop, she looked out the window, blinking away the tears trying to form. She wouldn't cry. Not in front of him. Her breakdown could come later. Thirty thousand feet in the air.
"I guess this is my stop,” she said, turning and forcing a smile on her face.
He nodded his head and she could tell his own smile was forced. She felt better for seeing it. When the car shifted, her luggage being removed from the back, she turned to the door and grabbed the handle.
"Roxy?"
"Yeah,” she said, turning her head.
Luke stared at her, drinking in her image, and burning it into his memory. One week wasn't enough with her but he didn't know how to tell her that without sounding like an idiot. He wanted to beg her to stay. Crawl at her feet and worship every inch of her for one more second of her time. He smiled at her instead and reached out, cupping her face in his palm. “I'll miss you."
Her eyes misted with tears before she leaned toward him, giving him the softest, most tender kiss anyone had ever given him. When she pulled away and said, “I'll miss you, too,” before darting out of the car, he cursed himself for a fool. The best thing to ever walk into his life was now walking away and he felt powerless to stop her. Would she think him insane if he told her how he felt? Did she feel the same?
He watched her walk away, his chest tightening with every step she took until she was lost in a sea of bodies. The light he'd lived in for the past week dimmed, the sweet knowledge that she was there, waiting for him, gone.
The woman he loved just walked out of his life and he let her.
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Epilogue
2 months later
Roxy looked up from her keyboard when she heard the door open.
"Special delivery,” Linda said.
"For me?"
"That's what the delivery guy said."
Linda held out her hand and Roxy sat back, staring. “A single rose?” It was pale pink in color, the outer edges darker. Reaching out, she took it and inhaled its soft scent. “Who sent it?"
Linda shrugged. “No clue. There wasn't a note."
Roxy stared at the rose, trying to think of anyone who might have sent it. She couldn't think of anyone. Well, one name came to mind, but she shook off the thought. She hadn't heard from him in three weeks.
Looking down at the flower, she let her thoughts wander, and inhaled its scent again. Something on one of the rose petals caught her eye. Raising her hand, she peeled back a few layers and her eyes widened.
"Someone wrote on the petals,” she said, squinting to see what was written.
"Really?” Linda asked, peering over the desk to look. “What does it say?"
Roxy's pulse raced at the words. “It says, I miss you."
The words made her think of him.
"Ooh. Do you have a secret admirer?"
A closer look at the rose petals and Roxy could only stare. Every other petal was adorned with a message ... I adore you ... I'm miserable without you ... I want you ... I need you...
It was the last message that caught her breath. I love you.
Tears clouded her vision and she looked up, smiling at Linda. Movement out of the corner of her eye caught her attention and she turned her head to the door. The tears pooling in her eyes slipped down her cheeks when she saw him.
"Seeing those tears makes me real glad I didn't get the whole dozen."
"Luke.” Roxy jumped from her chair and ran across the room.
He caught her in his arms, wrapping them around her waist, and burying his face in her hair. “God, I've missed you, Roxy."
She let out a choked laugh. “I've missed you."
He looked up and took her lips in a soft, teasing kiss. “What have you done to me?” he whispered, pulling back to look at her. He raised a hand, pushing her hair from her face and his gaze swept over her features. “I can't sleep ... can't eat.” He smiled then, staring her in the eyes. “Hell, I can't even look at another woman without wishing it was you."
Roxy's heart fluttered at his words. “I'm no expert, but it sounds like you may be in love."
"You think so?"
"Yes,” she grinned. “I seem to be having the same problems."
"Is that right?"
"Uh huh. I hear there's only one cure for it."
"And what's that?"
She leaned forward, nibbling his bottom lip into her mouth. “Lots and lots of sex."
"Oh, I think I'm going to like this cure of yours."
"I don't know,” she said. “It takes constant administering for it to work."
"Then I guess you have no choice but to come away with me.” He stared down at her, his thumb sliding across her bottom lip. “I'm not leaving without you, Roxy."
Her pulse quickened when he kissed her again, his tongue slipping into her mouth and setting off a flurry of butterflies in her stomach.
He broke the kiss and said, “Besides, I need a lawyer."
"What for?"
He grinned. “I stole Curt's plane and forced the pilot to fly me across the country."
"Oh, you definitely need a lawyer,” she said, laughing. “And a priest. Curt is going to kill you."
"Yeah, well, I'll survive as long as I have you with me."
He glanced over her shoulder suddenly, an amused look on his face. Roxy turned and saw Linda and laughed. She'd forgotten she was there. “Linda, this is Luke."
"Oh, I know who he is,” Linda interrupted, grinning. “I guess I know why you've been so grumpy the last two months."
"I've not been grumpy."
Linda snorted, unladylike. “Yes, you have. When you aren't biting people's heads off you look like someone killed your puppy."
Roxy's secretary walked to the door, skirting around them, and walked into the hall. “Should I cancel all your appointments?"
A look at Luke and Roxy smiled. “Yes,” she said. “Indefinitely."
She laughed when Luke pushed her into the office and slammed the door behind them, turning to lock it. “What are you doing?"
He turned back to look at her. “I'm going to test this cure of yours."
"Now?” she asked, backing up a step.
"Right now."
Roxy felt the first prickling of tingles race up her spine at the look on his face. He shrugged his jacket off his shoulders, letting it fall to the floor before pulling his shirt over his head. She drank in the sight of him, licking her lips and closing her teeth over her bottom lip.
"Now, Ms. Carlisle,” he said, stalking her. “Strip for me."
The End
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The Wicked Series
The four men who make up the rock band, Wicked, the hottest act to hit the scene in years, have earned their wicked status without much help. They're bad, sinfully delicious, and a temptation to every woman they meet.
Gearing up for a worldwide tour, the guys are about to come face to face with the only women strong enough to tame them. But it'll take more than a few smooth words to win the hearts of these ladies. When you can have any woman you want, how do you convince the one you can't live without her?
Wicked: Tempt Me Not—Book 1
Devin Shaw, front man for the band, Wicked, is forced into seclusion by his manager after his destructive behavior almost destroys the band. Sent to a remote cabin alone isn't Devin's idea of fun, but to save his career, he'll do what it takes.
Holly Baker, escaping the hassles of her big city life, arrives in the mountains of Tennessee and awaits the arrival of her friend, Roxy, to start their two-week vacation. Their plans change drastically when Roxy is called away at the last minute, leaving Holly to fend for herself.
Devin and Holly's worlds collide when a mix up strands them in the same cabin. Alone with nothing but each other for companionship, how will Holly react when she realizes she's trapped with none other than the hottest lead singer the country has seen in years? Will Devin be able to work with a constant distraction the pretty brunette offers? Or will the two discover that sometimes temptation is a wicked dessert best served hot.
Coming in 2009
Wicked: Jade Butterfly [Book 3]—Christian's Story
Wicked: Sweet Temptation [Book 4]—Mick's story
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About the Author
Lily Graison started creating original characters at an early age when her vivid imagination and love for adventure was the strongest. Growing up in a small town in Western North Carolina, she shared her journeys with friends in imaginary play. The love for extraordinary places and people never changed, and as an adult, she began to pen her stories and share them online with friends.
First published in 2005, her debut novel, A Touch of Heaven, won a Reviewers Choice Award. She writes mainly in the contemporary romance genre but also dabbles in erotica, fantasy and paranormal.
Visit her website: lilygraison.com
Or email her at [email protected]
An Alinar Publishing Publication:
www.alinarpublishing.com
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