by Mardi Ballou
Emergency Ex
Teach Him Tonight, Book # 2
a contemporary romance novella
by Mardi Ballou
Emergency Ex
Teach Him Tonight, Book #2
a contemporary romance novella
Kindle Edition
© 2012 Mardi Ballou
http://www.MardiBallou.com
Cover © 2012 Delle Jacobs
All rights reserved. This is a work of imaginative fiction. Any resemblance to any person living or deceased is the result of unintentional coincidence.
The e-book version of this story is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This e-book may not be re-sold or given away to other people. Please purchase an additional copy of this e-book for each person with whom you want to share it. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, please purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author. To obtain permission to excerpt portions of the text, please contact the author at [email protected] .
Dedication
Creation always takes a village. Thank you to all my village mates – especially Lynn, Janet, Marlene and Louisa. And my hero Lee – the guy I teach every night.
Table of Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Other Works by Mardi Ballou
Coming Soon from Mardi
An Excerpt from PHOTO FINISH
An Excerpt from AFTER CLASS
About Mardi
Chapter One
May 5—Brenda’s thirtieth birthday minus three weeks
Brenda Lockheart unwrapped the fancy gift wrap and gazed at a beautiful book. Invasion of Love Slaves from Planet X. A deluxe first edition, signed by the author, K.C. Corrigan, who sat across form her at their favorite coffee shop.
“Omigod. I can’t believe you’re giving me this.” Brenda ran her an appreciative hand over the cover. “Thanks, K.C. It’s gorgeous. Way too generous. I feel like a celebrity.”
“You are a celebrity in the world of chocolatiers. Lockheart Chocolate inspires my work, my life. This gift is a token of my total appreciation. For all you’ve done for me. And to start the ball rolling in the celebration of your upcoming birthday.”
Brenda swallowed hard. Despite all the professional accolades she’d collected, she was not used to this sort of attention in her personal life. “Not my birthday yet. Knowing you, there’s another special reason why you’re giving me this today.”
“You mean aside from the fact that I celebrate birth months and even birth seasons, not just single days?”
“Much as I like the way you think, yes. What else is going on? Give.”
K.C.’s grin lit up her face. “Okay, if you insist. Just got the news that this book is on a writer’s dream of a trajectory.”
“Which means—’
“It will probably hit the top spot on a major best seller list or two. Soon. Glory and income.”
Brenda clutched her friend’s hand. “Fantastic—but, I have to say, not unexpected. I’ve read your other books and can’t wait to read this one. I’m sure it deserves every possible success, recognition, great wealth…”
“From your mouth to the goddess’s ear. But I couldn’t have done it without your excellent chocolate. That’s why I want to include your special celebration with mine.”
“Really? You’re a great customer, but crediting my chocolate—”
K.C. nodded emphatically. “I absolutely do. Chocolate provides pure and essential inspiration along with being a source of energy and the ultimate comfort food. A power nourishment. Required for my creative processes. Your chocolate is one of the wonders of the modern world.”
Brenda raised a brow and chuckled. “Now surely you’re exaggerating.”
K.C. waved a hand in dismissal. “I’m a writer. I use language to create. It’s part of my job description. Heck, it’s my calling. But in this case I’m not exaggerating. On behalf of writers and other creative artists everywhere, thank you for your chocolate. Lucky me. In addition to providing sustenance, you’re also my friend.”
Brenda basked in the generous praise on top of the gift. “Tell me what your book is about. I love the title.”
“Catchy, isn’t it?” K.C. thought for a moment. “I’m continuing to explore my main theme. Namely that love is the most important force in the universe, no matter what planet or galaxy or world people inhabit.”
“I really like that.”
“Love is the emotional chocolate of the universe.”
Brenda sat bolt upright. “Wow. Did you make that up?”
Her friend nodded.
“‘Love is the emotional chocolate of the universe.’ Dang. Sounds like an ancient maxim. I want it needle-pointed on a pillow for my boudoir. Heck, with your permission, I’d love to find a way to use that ‘truth’ in my business. Of course I’d credit you.”
“You can ‘pay’ me in chocolate.” K.C. chuckled.
“I’d be happy to. Though with all your new wealth, you can easily afford all you want.”
“I’ll know I’ve really arrived when I can buy your chocolate without blinking at the price.”
Brenda mock scowled. She considered her prices fair for the quality she provided. “You’re making me feel guilty now.”
“You shouldn’t. Whatever you charge is absolutely worth it, no matter how much customers may groan.”
“Thanks, I think.” She shifted in her chair. “Invasion of the Love Slaves from Planet X. Tell me more.”
“Always happy to talk about my writing. Like all my books, this one is full of love and sex. But the women start off in a weak position. Men are using sex and love to take advantage, entrap their women.”
Brenda made a face. Boy, that sounded a whole lot like her past. “So that doesn’t happen only on our planet.”
“I’m afraid not.” Eyes narrowed, K.C. studied Brenda, who squirmed under the scrutiny. She’d often confided in her friend about her frustration with Keith, when he’d been her best friend—with benefits—and thus occasional lover. A man she’d allowed to make her miserable far too often. Fortunately, they were at a new and terrific place in their relationship, but it had taken lots of hard work—for both of them—to get there. The past wasn’t far enough behind for Brenda to view it with detachment or for her to face the future with complete confidence
“I hate to say it, but you and Keith helped inspire my story.”
“Really?” Brenda’s voice squeaked. “In what way?”
“Oh, I was thinking about something you told me from your early days with him. When you were best friends with benefits. You once did a role play to help bail Keith out of some mess.” She made a sour face. “You were his so-called Emergency Ex. He got you to pretend to be his furious ex. You created a scene and his girlfriend at the time backed off from putting pressure on him to commit.”
Brenda went into a full body shudder. “I remember. Actually, she disappeared. I should never have done what he asked. I chalk up the whole episode to being a stupid, regrettable thing you do when you’re young, something you’d never do once the genetic code for intelligence kicks in.”
K.C.’s frown had a touch of skepticism. “You only did it that one time?”
Brenda nodded. “I’m surprised I even mentioned it. Keith and I came up with the whole stupid Emergency Ex scheme in college, on a crazy night when we had too much wine and pizza. It was almost like a dare I shouldn’t have taken. I pretended to be his screaming banshee of an ex, and his girlfriend believed I was for real. I felt icky afterward. Guilty.”
K.C. grunted and her lips formed a disapproving line.
“And did Keith ever reciprocate? You know, pretend to be your ex so you could get rid of an inconvenient boyfriend?”
A big fat blush heated her face. “No. I’d never ask him to.”
“Of course not. If you didn’t want to be with a guy any longer, you’d do the decent thing and tell him upfront.”
Brenda nodded in reluctant agreement. “Sure I would—not that I’ve had any such problematic boyfriends. But that sort of game is buried in our past, where it belongs.”
K.C. tilted her head at an angle, and once again Brenda felt as if her friend were examining her. K.C. said writers studied people so they could write about them. Not that Brenda believed K.C. would actually write about her— “You’re making me nervous, K.C.”
Her friend held up a hand in a scout’s honor pose, as if to show innocence. “Not my intention. Just, you have to admit, your relationship with Keith is unique.”
“You mean it started off being a bit bizarre,” Brenda blurted before thinking, which she didn’t usually do. Though K.C. was a good friend, Brenda sometimes felt a bit wary around her.
K.C. pointed a finger. “Bizarre. Your word, not mine. Brenda, it bothers me to see how much you lose your independence and strength when it comes to Keith Tarrant. You let him take away your power. Makes me sad.”
Brenda shook her head. “On this one, you’re stuck in the past. Keith had baggage, family problems. His dad cheated on his mom and their break-up was nasty. Both Keith and his older brother grew up to be players, big-time commitment phobes. Now his brother’s in a great marriage and Keith and I are moving fast in that direction. Well, I’m not sure fast is the right word to talk about any changes in such a long relationship.” She smiled at K.C., who did not look convinced. “Look, it’s impossible for a third party to understand what goes on inside any relationship.”
K.C. nodded.
“I love Keith, always have. Always will. Granted, at the start, I wasn’t straightforward about my wants and needs. That was my baggage I had to get over.”
K.C. started to say something, but Brenda indicated she should hold the thought. “Now that my thirtieth birthday is nearing, it’s a great time to forge ahead. Moving in together soon, getting engaged. I also expect him to make a very big deal about this birthday. That’s my current dream.“
“Does he know all this?”
”Subtlety doesn’t work with Keith. He knows. Even better, he’s hinted that he’s planning a birthday celebration that will blow my mind. Hush hush so I’ll be surprised.” Now Brenda was the one exaggerating, but Keith had hinted he had something in mind for her big day.
K.C. squeezed her hand. “I hope it works out for you.”
So did Brenda.
After more conversation and coffee, the two women walked together until their paths home separated. They said good night with promises of phone calls and other meetings soon.
Brenda loved books. With such a great beginning, her thirtieth birthday would be spectacular. She’d pretty much managed to overcome her dread of leaving her twenties and almost looked forward to the start of a new decade. She wished she had a clue as to what Keith was planning for their celebration. Patience was not her long suit.
Chelsey, Brenda’s Yorkie, greeted her with tail-wagging enthusiasm when she came in the door. “Miss me, girl?” Brenda patted her dog. Chelsey responded with simple, faithful appreciation. “You understand about my birthday, don’t you?” Was it her imagination or did her dog actually nod her head?
Just then the phone rang. Keith calling. Maybe they did have some special ESP going for them after all…
“You’ll never guess what,” Keith said by way of opening their conversation.
“You’re right. I won’t. Tell me.” Usually she liked to play along with games but wasn’t in the mood tonight. Talking to K.C. must have rattled her more than she’d realized.
“A buddy owed me a favor. Just brought me a box of cheese from England. Wensleydale.”
“You have Wensleydale cheese from the creamery?” Brenda had fallen in love with the stuff when she’d spent her junior year of college in England. Getting the cheese from there was a rare treat. When had she told Keith? Of course he knew she loved England and all things English. And she loved cheese. Putting the two facts together wasn’t exactly a stroke of genius.
“Straight from the cow to you. How about I drop over for a very special delivery?” His voice grew quite low and husky, the last words resonating deeply and intimately within her.
“How fast can you get here?” Her voice came out raspy with desire. Keith could turn her on fast, even at a distance. Keith and Wensleydale. Irresistible.
Since he was going to arrive quickly, she flew around the kitchen to get ready. Crackers, wine, some fruit. How did she look? She was just checking when the doorbell rang.
Keith stood in the doorway, her very own for real fantasy male. Black-haired, gray-eyed gorgeous. Always looked as if he needed a shave. A shade over six hot, buff feet. Chelsey, who adored Keith, circled him and barked in greeting. “Hey, Chels, how’s it going?” He knelt to rub the appreciative dog’s coat.
Brenda’s heart soared as she watched the man she loved and the dog she loved cocooned in mutual affection. She was also part of the bond here. What could be simpler than to advance along the natural path and make it forever?
Keith followed her into the kitchen where he handed her the carton containing three kinds of Wensleydale cheese—with cranberries, with pineapple and plain. “So what’s up?” he asked as she arranged the cheese and other goodies on a tray.
“Would you believe my friend K.C. gave me a signed copy of her latest book as an early birthday gift?” She held up Invasion of Love Slaves from Planet X. “The book is shaping up to be a best seller. I’m thrilled for her. Can’t wait to read it. She’s a great writer.”
Keith looked underwhelmed. When she saw his expression, Brenda remembered that Keith and K.C. were less than enamored of each other. Why was it that her two best friends couldn’t stand each other? How ironic that both of them gave her terrific gifts on the same day. Maybe someday she’d get them to the point where they could stand to be in the same room at the same time.
The cheese lived up to expectations. Exceeded them. He owed his buddy. Keith loved seeing Brenda so happy. Hell, a bit of cheese could produce such joy? Really good cheese, yeah, but still—cheese. When he saw that Brenda’s pesky friend K.C. had given her a book, he was glad the cheese had arrived that day. Not that he was in competition with K.C. in any way. Actually, he wouldn’t mind it at all if Brenda found a different best girlfriend and dropped K.C. The woman bugged him. He shook off the discomfort thoughts of her always brought. Tonight he’d keep his head clear of negativity as he focuses on Brenda.
He wanted to please her, wanted to show her how much she meant to him. Brenda had stuck with him through tough times, shown him he wasn’t doomed to repeat his father’s mistakes. A committed relationship did not automatically equate to a life sentence with no hope of reprieve—not when he could be with a woman like her. Beautiful, smart, loyal, hot in bed. The total package—and more. The perfect woman who “got” him.
Brenda caught his eye, flashed a come hither look and licked her lips. She could turn him on with the simplest of moves. Keith grinned right back before he cupped her chin in his hand and took over the luscious task of licking her lips. From somewhere deep inside she purred. She tasted of the rich cheese and crackers they’d feasted on, along with the strawberries and wine she’d provided. Delicious.
“Got any plans for the rest of the night?” he whispered when they took a breath break.
She favored him with a wanton leer and his instincts kicked into high gear. He could never get enough of her gorgeous body and hot loving. Luckily, she wanted him as much as he wanted her. “What do you have in mind?” Her warm breath tickled his ear.
He groaned his answer. Hand in hand they raced to her bedroom. In moments they’d shucked their clothes. She sat
down at the edge of her bed and opened her arms to him, still with that smile. Was there a hint of mystery in her smile tonight? He’d analyze later.
“Time for dessert,” he growled, kneeling before her. Cripes, she was gorgeous all over and didn’t seem to know it. After feasting his eyes he hugged her to him and bent to kiss the soft warmth of her smooth, flat belly. She shivered and he just held her for a moment, head firm against her as he basked in her warmth.
She ran her fingers through his hair, massaging his scalp with loving fingers. “Am I your dessert then?”
By way of reply he kissed her belly again, and she groaned. The sound of her response served as an aphrodisiac, urging him on to pleasure them both. Hands on her slender hips, he tongued the sweet, fragrant skin of her lower belly, then traced a path down toward her feminine core. She gasped with pleased surprise as she realized where he was going with his eager mouth.
Using all the gentleness he could muster, he slipped his hand between her thighs and urged her to open her legs. With a sigh she complied, leaning back to provide greater access. When they’d first gotten together, she’d been so shy about letting him look, never mind touch and kiss her there. What a happy guy he was that she’d opened up to him, blooming like a tropical flower from one of those nature shows. He took a moment to admire the invitation of her intimate beauty before he leaned in for a first sexy taste. He loved the way she looked, the way she tasted and the way she smelled. Brenda’s labia glistened with the dew of passionate arousal. Determined to restrain his starving man gusto, he slowly and deliberately began to lick and suck.
Well-matched, they both loved to be active and loud participants in the love act. No biting her lip in a maidenly effort to stifle the noises of lovemaking. Not when she could moan, groan, call out his name and even lose herself with enough abandonment to cry out. Music to his ears—even when, as now, she held him by those very ears.
As he completed his first intimate exploration, his tongue brushed her tiny but potent nub of sensation. She shivered in gratifying reaction and tilted her hips to deepen the intense contact. Her sensuous warmth enveloped him like a comforting whirlpool, a place where he could get lost and stay forever. He willed himself to move slowly, to heighten the arousal of their being joined this way.