“Honey!” Oh, she could never get enough of this. He was just so good.
Without lifting his head from between her legs, Carter shifted, moving his lower body so his erection was right against her face. Eagerly, she held it in her hand and tasted the dew that had formed at its tip.
Carter gasped, his breath hitting her clit deliciously. Then he lay on his back, taking her with him so she was on top.
“Baby,” Carter whispered before his tongue did its magic again.
Ooh, she most definitely wanted to return the favour. She licked his length, gently tugging, before closing her lips around the engorged head.
Carter groaned, his pelvis lifting off the bed, seeking more of her mouth. “So fucking good, baby,” he said through gritted teeth. “Do you want this?”
She felt his fingers probe her soaked entrance and push in, massaging her inner walls. “Yes... oh, yes...” she gasped, her hand tugging him faster.
Their sounds of pleasure filled the room, interspersed by their murmurs of affection as they took each other closer and closer to the edge.
She was almost there, all her attention focusing on the incredible sensations he was evoking. Her head dropped on his thigh as she approached climax. When Carter closed his mouth on her clit and sucked lightly, her world rocked. “Carter!” she cried, her body clamping on his fingers like vice.
With a swift move, Carter turned her on her back and aligned himself with her, his face a picture of single-minded determination.
She spread her legs wider to accommodate him, knowing her man needed her.
“Cassie,” Carter breathed, kneeling between her thighs and inserting his erection inside her. Then he was thrusting, fast and hard, hitting that spot inside of her and reigniting her arousal.
“Yes, honey,” she gasped, twisting her hips for more friction, desirous of another orgasm.
“Fuck,” Carter moaned. Again and again he drove in and out, his face contorting in pleasure.
She lifted her thighs further up her chest, wanting him deeper, needing to get to the crest with him.
Carter gave her a hand. He pressed his thumb on her clit, rubbing, as his hips pumped rhythmically against hers.
“Oh, God... Carter...”
“Come with me, baby,” he grunted, his breath coming out in quick gasps.
Yes... Yes...
With a keening cry, she came hard, trembling violently underneath him, just as Carter erupted inside of her, gasping and groaning in ecstasy.
*****
“Thanks again, guys,” Cassie said to the other eight people sitting around the food-laden outdoor dining setting on Lucas and Jade’s entertainment deck. “I really appreciate this. But I feel guilty because we didn’t celebrate when Lucas finished his MBA.”
“Don’t worry, Cass,” Lucas said, putting his arm at the back of Jade’s chair. “My wife made sure we celebrated.”
Cassie chuckled. Lucas was so sweet. Since getting married, Lucas couldn’t seem to stop saying “my wife” when referring to Jade.
“Your wife really did a great job ordering this food, bro,” Rick said with a smirk. “It’s yummy.”
“Thank you,” Jade said.
“And my wife loves these cake pops,” Lucas said, grabbing one of the round chocolate cakes on a lollipop stick. “She ordered extra and she’s hiding them in the fridge.”
Brad snickered. “Lucas’s wife, could you pass the chicken, please?”
They all laughed, including Jade, who blushed prettily.
“You’re just all jealous. My wife and I are the only ones married so far,” Lucas said smugly.
“Not for long, bro,” Rick said, smiling at Lexie.
“When’s your wedding?” Natasha asked the couple.
“January twenty-third, which is Rick’s birthday,” Lexie answered. “I wanted a different date so we can celebrate them separately, but Rick insists he wants to get married on his birthday.”
“Because I want a wife for a birthday gift,” Rick said, giving Lexie a peck on the cheek.
“I bet it’s so you won’t forget your wedding anniversary,” Brad quipped.
“Hey, I’m not forgetful,” Rick said.
“It’s you who’s forgetful,” Lexie said to her brother. “Do you guys know that Brad had forgotten to arrange accommodation for himself while he gets a new house built?” she asked.
“I didn’t forget,” Brad said with a sigh. “I’d already made arrangements with one of my friends to rent his apartment that was supposed to go vacant soon. But the current tenants have decided to stay because the wife got made redundant from her job and they can’t afford to borrow money for the house they wanted to buy. My friend did tell me about it, but I just got so busy with work and with problems with the architectural plans that I haven’t got around to finding another place.”
“You can always stay with me and Lex,” Rick offered. “We have plenty of room.”
“Thanks, bro. I might take you up on that if I don’t find a place closer to work before my existing house gets demolished. I only need to be a bother for about seven months or so, hopefully.”
“My other room’s available if you want a place close to work,” Erin said.
“Really?” Brad asked. “I thought you didn’t want a flatmate after Lexie moved out.”
“Only because I couldn’t find a good one. The first one took different men home every night, so I kicked her out after three weeks. And the second one made such a big fuss over the smell of lamb whenever I cooked it, saying it made her feel sick. Well, it was my kitchen and she couldn’t tell me what not to eat, so we parted ways too.”
“Well, I’ll never be taking any man home with me, and I love your lamb dishes,” Brad said. “So if you’re not joking, Erin, I’d love to be your flatmate for a few months.”
“Sure,” Erin said.
Lexie let out a massive sigh.
“And what does that mean?” Erin asked with a laugh.
“Don’t even think about pairing us off, Lexie,” Brad said dryly.
“Excuse me,” Lexie said, narrowing her eyes at Brad. “That’s not what I meant at all. Sure, you’re my brother and I love you, but I love Erin too. I wouldn’t dream of pairing the two of you together.”
“And why not?” Brad asked. “Not that I plan to make a move on Erin, because she’s a friend and I never make a move on friends, but why not?”
“Because you’re a heartbreaker.”
“Why do you say that?”
“Duh, because you’ve broken many women’s hearts?”
“Not deliberately,” Brad said with a careless shrug.
“Don’t worry, Lex,” Erin said. “You know I’m immune to Brad’s charms. And the reason I won’t mind him sharing the apartment is because I know what a workaholic he is. Between his work and his dates, I’m sure I’ll hardly see him.”
“Unless he bring his dates home,” Lexie said.
“You know he doesn’t do that. He doesn’t want women feeling ‘at home’ in his place so he prefers their homes instead.”
“See, this is why I know we’ll be great flatmates, Erin,” Brad said with a grin. “You already know me.”
“Just don’t fight over silly little things, okay?” Lexie said. “I’d hate for the two of you to wreck your friendship.”
“Won’t happen,” Brad said.
Erin agreed.
“Speaking of flatmates, I was lucky with Tash,” Cassie said. “She was my first flatmate after Jade—I mean, Lucas’s wife—moved out. And we got along well straight away.”
“She brought you a boyfriend, too,” Jade said.
“She did,” Cassie said with a laugh.
“Yes, that was nice of me, wasn’t it?” Natasha said with a grin. “Except that he stole my flatmate.”
“Just find yourself another one, Tash,” Carter said.
“Nah. I’m kinda enjoying living on my own.”
The doorbell rang.
“Ooh, th
ey’re here,” Jade said excitedly, going into the house to open the door.
“Who else are we expecting?” Cassie asked.
The others just grinned.
Cassie exclaimed in delight when she saw her parents walk in. She got out of her chair to greet them when her jaw dropped. Carter and Natasha’s parents were right behind, followed by Gavin, David and David’s wife, Abby. And oh, Lexie’s parents were here too!
“Hello, dear,” her mother said.
“Hi, Mum. I didn’t expect you guys here. Wow.”
Everybody greeted everybody, then the men quickly set up another table setting on the entertainment deck while Jade, Lexie, Erin and Natasha took more food from the kitchen and brought them out.
Cassie looked on in amazement, dumbfounded by this wonderful surprise.
“What are you thinking, babe?” Carter asked, kissing her hair.
“Are they all here because I got my MBA?” she asked, mystified.
Carter chuckled.
She looked at him. “Did you know about this?”
The smile he tried to smother told her the answer.
“So I guess you also planned to come home early, huh?”
“Why would I want to miss this?” Carter asked.
She wrapped her arms around his waist. “This is so nice of everyone,” she murmured, touched.
In no time, the extra place settings and additional food were ready.
“Is there someone else coming?” Cassie asked, noticing an extra chair.
“Hi, everyone!” Marilyn said, hurrying to them with an anxious look on her face. “I didn’t miss it, did I?”
“No. You just made it,” Lexie said with a grin.
“Oh, thank God. I was so worried,” Marilyn said, approaching Cassie with outstretched arms. “Congratulations, Cassie.”
“Thank you,” she answered, astonished. Even Marilyn had come to congratulate her on her MBA? Wow.
She turned around to walk back to her seat when she stopped in her tracks. Why was everyone looking like they couldn’t contain themselves?
“Babe,” Carter said, taking her hand.
Carter’s palms were clammy. Was he nervous?
It hit her a second before Carter went down on one knee.
Suddenly, she had to breathe through her mouth to take in enough oxygen.
“Cassie,” Carter said. “I hid my interest in you for a long time before you forced me to own up to my feelings. And the minute I did, I couldn’t stop myself from completely falling for you. You’re the love of my life, Cassie, and I’ll be the luckiest man on earth if I could spend the rest of my life with you. Will you marry me?”
Tears fell down her cheeks. “Yes, Carter.”
Carter beamed, the happiness on his face undeniable as he stood up and took her in his arms.
Cassie threw her arms around his neck, kissing him, with her heart so expanded she felt like it would burst. She didn’t even care that people were watching her smooch the man she loved with such passion that they should probably get a room.
“Don’t forget the ring, darling,” Lorraine whispered to her son.
“Oh,” Carter said, breaking the kiss. He pulled out the perfect diamond ring from his pocket and went down on one knee again. “I love you, baby,” he said, his eyes shining as he slid the ring on Cassie’s finger.
“I love you, too.”
Applause rang out loud.
“Woohoo,” Marilyn said. “Our third round is closed, and Lexie and Rick win.”
“Yay!” said the two.
“What’s this about?” Gavin asked.
Marilyn explained it to him. “Oh, you have to join the next round, Gavin. You’re single, right?”
“Lexie,” her mother called out. “Why don’t you bet on your brother? You won the last two rounds. I think you have the magic touch.”
“Oh, Mum,” Brad said with an eye roll.
“Umm, let me think about it,” Lexie said, looking dubiously at Brad and Erin.
“You didn’t bet on me,” Carter said to Cassie.
She chuckled, dipping her head on his shoulder. “I was still in denial then.”
“Hey, I just remembered something,” Carter said, frowning. “Your list.”
She grinned. “What list?”
Carter narrowed his eyes.
“There was no list, honey,” she said, cupping his face. “It was only ever you.”
###
Thank you for reading!
The Unintended Fiancé is the next book in this series and, you guessed it, it’s Brad and Erin’s love story. To get your copy, click here.
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The Captured by Love series started with Lucas and Jade’s love story. To check out The Unwilling Executive (Captured by Love, Book One), please click here.
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If you’re up-to-date with the Captured by Love series, you might want to check out the steamy Time for Love series, which is about the love stories of five best friends who made a pact to have someone to kiss at the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Day. Lucas, our Unwilling Executive, and Rick, our Unyielding Bachelor, first appeared in that series as supporting characters (Lucas is in book 3, and both Lucas and Rick are in book 5).
To enjoy the first chapter of Forever, book 1 of the Time for Love series, please turn the page.
Forever (Time for Love Book 1) Extract
Rebecca Andrews and Zach Carmichael
CHAPTER ONE
Extremely lucky. How else could Rebecca Andrews describe what she should be feeling for the new work offer she’d recently received? But somehow, she couldn’t muster the same excitement that radiated from her friend and colleague Sarah Daley.
“I understand why you’re not ecstatic about this, Bec, but I still think you should grab it with both hands,” Sarah said, her wide eyes magnifying the intensity of her belief.
Rebecca thanked the server, who placed two mango smoothies on their table, before responding to Sarah. “I know. But the client is Magda Carmichael.”
“Yes. I know that’s a big deal for you. But you love Magda, don’t you? She’s asked for us. She doesn’t want anyone else to go with her.”
Sarah, one of Rebecca’s four best friends whom she’d known since primary school, had been ready to pack her bags from the moment they got the call from their nursing agency. They had both been personally selected by Magda Carmichael—a very wealthy and absolutely sweet lady—to be her private nurses during her month-long holiday aboard one of the most luxurious cruise ships in the world.
“You have to go with me, Bec,” Sarah pleaded. “We’ve both never been on a cruise before, and we’ll get to visit some exotic Asian cities. It’ll be fun!”
“Fun?” Rebecca said with a laugh. “We’re not being hired to have fun. We’re being hired to work, remember?”
“I know. But we won’t be working twenty-four/seven. That’s why they want the two of us there, so we could work on shifts looking after Magda. We’ll still have some private time to enjoy what promises to be an incredible trip.”
“I do wonder why she needs two nurses with her?” Rebecca mused. “She’d fully recovered from her hip replacement surgery, and according to the agency, she’s not currently suffering from any illness or injury.”
“She’s almost eighty, Bec. Magda and her family probably prefer to have two professionals with her on the cruise in case something happens. Besides, she could very well afford to pay for our salary and our trip.”
Yes, the Carmichaels could certainly afford those and much more. Magda Carmichael’s late husband was a self-made multi-millionaire who’d founded The Carmichael Corporation, one of the biggest property development companies in Australia. Now Magda’s three grandsons looked after the various interests of the company, which extended to wineries and eco-tourism.
“I wonder who else w
ould be accompanying her apart from nursing staff?” Rebecca asked. “I’m sure she wouldn’t be going on a holiday like that by herself.”
“You mean you want to know if Zach will be going,” Sarah said softly. “You said you’re over him.”
“I am. But that doesn’t mean I want to bump into him again,” she responded, ignoring the pinching in her chest that still happened every time she thought of Zachary Carmichael, Magda’s oldest grandson.
“It’s none of our business and it would be rude to ask. Besides, I can’t imagine Zach accompanying his grandmother on a cruise for a month even if he’s very fond of her.” Sarah leaned across the table with a serious look. “Bec, you know it’s time you let go of whatever feelings you still feel for Zach—even the bitterness and regret. And do you really want to say no to Magda?”
Rebecca sighed. Magda Carmichael was the nicest, kindest, most generous client she’d ever worked with. When she and Sarah were hired as Magda’s physical rehabilitation nurses while Magda recovered from her hip replacement surgery after an accidental slip in her bathroom, Magda had treated them like family, not paid personnel. She’d often wondered if the fact that Magda didn’t have granddaughters was the reason she’d grown attached to her and Sarah. At twenty-eight, both she and Sarah were close to the ages of Magda’s three grandsons. Zach was the oldest at thirty-two. His younger brothers Jeffrey and Gregory were thirty and twenty-nine.
“You know I can’t say no to Magda,” she admitted.
“Yay! You have to tell the agency you’re accepting the job, then you have to advise Magda’s personal assistant that you’re going so she can arrange your travel documents,” Sarah said excitedly. “I’ve already emailed her my details that she’s asked for.”
“Okay. I’ll email her when I get home.”
“Make sure you do it as soon as you walk through your door. The ship leaves in ten days. I’m sure she’d need time to organise everything.”
“Don’t worry, I will,” she said with a laugh.
“Hey, girls!”
Rebecca and Sarah greeted their three other best friends Brenna Ward, Amanda Payne and Gemma Aldwin with a kiss on their cheeks.
The Undercover Playboy (Captured by Love Book 3) Page 17