"It's definitely not because of you guys. It's just one of those things that didn't work out."
"Okay, honey. We just want you to be happy."
"I know. Thank you."
*******
Jasmine sat up on her bed as her security intercom buzzed harshly, waking her from a deep sleep. Her gaze flew to the alarm clock on her bedside table. 11:45pm. Who the hell could that be?
She tried to shake off her sleepiness, her mind fuzzily imagining different sorts of emergency situations.
The buzzer rang again just as she was about to answer it. With a pounding heart, she pressed the button to talk to the caller. "Who's there?"
"Jaz, it's Kane."
"Kane?"
"Yeah."
"Kane?" she repeated, not quite believing her ears. She did recognise his voice but her brain was questioning if she was dreaming or not.
"Yes, it's me."
"Are you sure?" she asked stupidly.
"Yes, baby, I'm sure," he answered with a chuckle.
She pressed the button to let him in the building then walked to her door. She opened it and waited, still unsure if she was fully awake. She wouldn't be surprised if her mind was playing a trick on her. She hadn't been sleeping well since she broke up with Kane. But after her parents' visit that afternoon, a certain amount of peace came to her and, for the first time in a long time, she had fallen asleep without too much tossing and turning.
Kane appeared in her line of sight and her breathing shallowed. She stared at him, drinking in his form thirstily. She hadn't seen him for so long, and now he was standing right in front of her.
"You look beautiful, sweetheart, but I think we should go in before someone else walks past," he croaked as he gently pushed her in, his eyes roaming her body.
She looked down and realised she was wearing the new lingerie she bought to make her feel sexy after being tossed aside for another woman.
"Oh! I forgot what I was wearing," she mumbled, her heart dancing madly in her chest.
Was she really awake? She could swear Kane called her 'baby' and 'sweetheart'. And she could see he was looking at her like a starving man.
"Kane, what are you doing here?"
"I need to talk to you."
She gaped at him and shook her head. "Why didn't you tell me you were coming?"
"Because I didn't want you to come up with excuses not to see me."
She sighed and walked to the sofa. "You woke me up. And you scared me."
"Sorry. I know it's late. But I was lucky enough to catch the last flight to get here."
"So … why are you here?"
Kane sat next to her and took her hand. "Jaz, I know about the blackmail."
She looked at him in alarm.
"I'm sorry," he continued. "If I had known about this earlier, we wouldn't have had to suffer for this long. I understand why you didn't tell me. But I'm still a bit mad at you for not trusting that we could have found an answer together instead of trying to work it out on your own."
"Well, okay. Now you know," she said. A glimmer of hope touched her heart but her mind played the scene she saw in Dylan's balcony. She pulled her hand from his grasp.
"Ray is going ahead with the article," he informed her, his eyes wary.
"That's good," she said with a small smile. "I suppose that would help in making sure George wouldn't be able to hurt your reputation." She looked away, unable to maintain eye contact without wanting to cry.
"Jaz?"
She glanced up at his face and felt a pinch on her heart at his anguished expression.
"Please tell me we're not really over," he entreated.
She melted. He wanted her back. The dark clouds parted as blood started singing in her veins.
"You still love me?" she whispered.
He cupped her face with his warm hands. "What kind of question is that? I never stopped loving you."
She couldn't stop the tears that ran down her cheeks, or the smile that spread on her face.
"You don't love Brenda?" she asked, needing to be sure.
"No, baby. Brenda is just one of Dylan's flirty friends. I never went out with her."
She frowned. "But I saw the picture of you together when you took her to that big black-tie event you had."
"That wasn't a date in a strict sense. I had to go to the function and I needed to take someone with me. Dylan suggested Brenda because she was the least likely of his female friends to expect or want a relationship. All she wants is the chance to go to high-glamour events."
"You looked sweet together," she muttered, remembering Brenda's arms around his neck and his hands on Brenda's waist. Plus, the woman ran her hands over his chest!
"That's just Brenda, baby. She's that kind of a flirt but she's harmless. If you stuck around long enough at the party, you would have seen her flirt like that with five other men, including Dylan."
She searched his eyes for two seconds then her lips tugged into a relieved smile. "Okay."
"Oh, Jaz, I missed you," he groaned, capturing her lips and giving her a sweet, sweet kiss.
She didn't know for how long they kissed tenderly but she didn't mind when he started devouring her mouth. She moaned, revelling in their intimate connection. Desire flared in her belly and rapidly spread to her whole body. Kane was back. With her.
She gasped as his hand went to her breast and kneaded, just as his mouth left hers to trail heated kisses on her neck. She was already ready, the frustrations and pain of the past weeks magnifying her arousal.
"Kane," she breathed, arching her back to push her breast farther into his hand.
He moaned, a sexy, low sound that excited her even more.
"Do you always wear these things to bed, even when you're alone?" he asked as he pushed a strap down her arm, revealing a heavy breast eager for his attention.
Her answer got caught in her throat as his lips closed on her erect nipple. "Ah!" she cried, feeling the sensation all the way to her already wet centre.
"Hmm?" he asked, lifting his head to look at her.
"What?" she asked dazedly.
"I said do you always wear sheer, sexy nightgowns even when you're in bed alone."
"I like being prepared. You never know if a neighbour might come calling during the night," she teased.
She was surprised at the ferocious look on his face.
"What? You're mine," he growled.
She giggled, enjoying his possessiveness. "I was joking! My friend Ari designed herself some lingerie to make her feel sexy and desirable after her boyfriend dumped her. I thought it might help me, too. I got this after I saw you with Brenda."
"Oh, baby." Kane ran his fingers over her face tenderly.
That very touch told her he loved her. It was just what her heart needed. But her body was crying for much more. She had missed him so.
"Kane," she said with yearning as she clutched his hair and tried to pull his head down to her needy breast. He resisted.
"Yes, Jasmine?" he asked with a wicked smile, sitting up straight.
"Continue, please."
"Continue what, baby? Our conversation?" he asked with laughter in his eyes.
She made a face then kneeled on the sofa so her chest was level with his head. She moved closer to him and slipped the other strap down, letting the soft material fall down around her knees.
His hungry eyes stared at her body, his mouth agape. "You're so beautiful. You've been wearing something like this every night?"
"No. I've been hiding in my oversized flannel pyjamas. I got this a while ago but this is the first time I've worn it. Maybe I'm psychic and I sensed you were coming tonight."
He grinned salaciously. "Oh, yes. I'm definitely coming tonight. And so are you."
"So what are you waiting for then?" she asked seductively, untying the bows on her hips that held her panties in place.
His grin disappeared as his gaze fixed on her now naked sex, his chest heaving as he breathed. Swiftly, he took off
his jacket followed by his shirt. She waited for him patiently, running her hands slowly on her body as she watched him undress. Her leisurely movements were in stark contrast to the rushed busyness of his hands as he got rid of his shoes, pants and underwear.
When he was fully unclothed, he tugged her hand and hastily led her to the bedroom. She was ready to jump on the bed when he cupped her face and stared at her with love and lust that made it hard for her to breathe.
"Sit on the edge of the bed," he said softly.
She did so, not taking her eyes off his face.
He knelt in front of her and rubbed her thighs as he kissed her mouth senseless.
She fisted his hair and took as much as she gave. She made a protesting sound when he broke their torrid kiss but stilled when she guessed his next move.
He parted her legs wider and ran butterfly kisses along the inside of her sensitive thigh. She watched avidly as his mouth got closer and closer to that part of her that was throbbing with need. When he ran his tongue on her slit and up her clit, she threw her head back and moaned lustily.
Kane licked and sucked her enthusiastically, pleasure sounds escaping him like she was the most delicious thing he'd had for a long, long time.
"Oh God … Kane," she breathed. "You're going to make me come too quickly."
He stopped long enough to say "good" before sending his tongue flicking again and inserting a finger into her wetness.
That was enough to drive her over the edge, her cries of gratification filling the room as her body clenched forcefully, repeatedly.
He lifted his head when her body relaxed, a satisfied smile playing on his lips.
She smiled back at him, feeling languid but eager to give him as much pleasure as he'd just given her. She sat up straight and encouraged him to stand. Pushing him back slightly, she knelt in front of him and ran a greedy tongue over his steely erection.
"Ahh, yes," he whispered.
She wrapped her fingers around his thick length and stroked him as she closed her mouth on the head, tasting the dew that formed at the tip. She twirled her tongue, her mouth sucking and head bobbing, as one hand tugged him at the base while the other caressed his heavy balls. His panting moans and harsh breathing told her he was close. His hips flexed faster as she maintained her rhythm. Then he stilled for a heartbeat before groaning out loud and spurting in her mouth.
"Jaz, baby."
She heard the wonder and gratitude in his voice as she grinned up at him.
He sighed in contentment and crawled on the bed. "Come cuddle with me, honey."
She eagerly went into his open arms as they pulled the covers over them. They kissed softly for long minutes before Kane's caressing hands became more insistent. He pressed his body closer to hers and she felt his hardening member on her belly. Oh, yes.
His fingers and his mouth got busy showing her again how much he desired her—and how quickly he could arouse her until she was ready to beg for more.
"Kane." Her need was evident in her voice.
"Yes, my love?" His fingers continued to stroke her clitoris as his mouth played with a nipple.
"Please."
He abandoned her breast to bring his face close to hers but his fingers didn't stop.
"Inside me," she whispered.
"Like this?" he asked as he slipped two fingers in her.
She gasped with pleasure but shook her head. "You."
"This is me," he said with a wicked smile, moving his fingers in and out of her.
He loved teasing her, and she must admit, it made her hotter.
She reached for his erect manhood and stroked. "Don't you want to put this inside me?"
"Uh-huh," he said with an eager nod.
"Good." She pushed him onto his back and straddled him. Gingerly, she positioned his hard cock on her waiting pussy and gently slid down.
Their moans mingled as she rocked on top of him. Oh, it felt so good. More than good. In no time, she was screaming his name as she violently shuddered in an intense orgasm.
She slumped on his chest as she caught her breath. She smiled as she felt Kane's hips straining to move beneath her. She propped her hands on her chest and moved her hips up and down, feeling his hard shaft get thicker inside of her. She stopped abruptly and gazed at him.
"Baby, please move," he begged.
Kane placed his hands on her buttocks and she knew he was going to lift her hips so he could thrust. Well, she wanted him to have freedom of movement. She got off him and lay down on the bed, pulling him on top of her.
He grunted as he re-inserted himself in her and drove in, hard and fast and unstoppable.
"Jasmine … fuck … Jasmine."
She didn't know how he did it, or how she could be so responsive. But just seeing him undone and out-of-control triggered another climax. She shuddered and tightened on his cock over and over.
"Oh, baby … arrgh … arrgh!" he groaned loudly as he exploded inside her.
*******
Jasmine opened her still-sleepy eyes and squinted. It seemed late and she wondered what time it was. She propped on an elbow to check her clock. It was almost eleven in the morning.
After a marathon sex session with Kane last night, she wasn't surprised she slept in. And she wasn't surprised at the stiffness in some parts of her body. They just couldn't seem to get enough of each other. But then, that wasn't anything new.
She twisted to face him. He was sleeping on his side, turned towards her. Tenderness engulfed her as she drank in his beloved features. She thought she'd lost him because of her decisions. But she knew she'd make those same decisions again if it meant protecting all that was important to him. She loved him, plain and simple.
She reached out to touch his face, enjoying his relaxed look while he slept. His eyelids fluttered open and drowsy blue eyes gazed at her warmly.
"Hi," he said with a happy smile.
"Hi."
"What time is it?"
"Almost eleven."
"Did I tell you last night my flight back is at three this afternoon?"
She frowned as a pang of disappointment hit her. "Why so early? Could you take a later one?"
He caressed her arm. "I need to talk to Hannah and I want to do it before the evening so I can avoid having dinner with her."
"Why?" Panic started rising to her throat.
"Ray and I think the article would be more effective in silencing that blackmailing psycho if Hannah is involved in clarifying the story."
"But Hannah believes you cheated on her with me. And she thinks I'm an evil witch who seduces engaged men then dumps them after they leave their fiancées."
He laughed. "I love your description. But you see, if we could get Hannah to also tell the truth then George's stories would stand out as the lies they really are. The only thing he could still scare us with would be those fake porn stories he put together. But we'll sue any publication that attributes them to you."
"I don't care about the porn stories. There must be a hundred Jasmine Allens around the world. Having that name attached to a story wouldn't make people jump to conclusions I'm the Jasmine Allen who wrote it. And I already thought about the suing thing if it's necessary. I'm more worried that if Hannah stubbornly refuses to believe us, then it's more likely she and George would act out their threat against you."
"That's a risk I'm willing to take."
"See, this is exactly why I didn't want to tell you or anyone else about this," she said angrily, sitting up on the bed. "Do you understand what you are risking, Kane? Do you realise what you stand to lose?"
He also sat up and faced her. "Yes, I do," he insisted. "I might lose a few clients. It might impact the business and I might have to work extra hard on damage control. But eventually, I'll get back on top of it. But I refuse to let that son of a bitch George run our lives. And I refuse to break up with you ever again," he said, pointing a finger at her face.
"I suffered for one whole month just so you won't have to lose wh
at you've built, Kane. Please don't take that lightly," she said as a last-ditch effort to make him protect his career.
"Why did you do it?"
"You know why. Because I love you!"
"What about me, Jaz? I love you, too. Much more than you know. I'd rather lose my reputation and my clients than lose you. I'd rather be painted as the man who cheated on his fiancée than not ever be with you," he said hoarsely.
She sobbed in a breath, her eyes swimming in tears.
Kane cupped her face. "Please," he pleaded, "let's focus all our energy on meeting our challenges head-on rather than wasting our time avoiding them. My career is not the most important thing in the world to me, Jaz. You are."
She sighed, nuzzling her face against his hand. "Okay," she responded, finding herself unable to bear even the thought of giving him up again.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
"I can't believe I'm leaving tomorrow," Jasmine said sadly as she gazed at her best friends Sam and Kris. Three weeks had gone by so fast since she and Kane got back together. Tomorrow morning, she would be flying to Sydney with some of her clothes and personal items. She was moving in with Kane.
She had sold her furniture and her car. Kane had suggested she buy a new car in Sydney, as hers was already a few years old. She agreed. She had some money for that. She'd been a good saver.
She still had some clothes and non-essential items that were now stashed in her parents' garage but she would take them with her next time.
"I bet you're not as sad as we are, Jaz," Kris said. "After all, you'll be living in a big, architect-designed house and following Mr. Summers around the world."
"Not to mention not having to work for a living," Sam said enviously.
Jasmine gasped. "Hey, I still work for a living! I'm just a full-time writer now. Sure, I'll be sitting on my ass, but it will be sitting on my ass making up stories and trying to sell them."
The other girls snickered. "And she calls it work," Kris said.
"Well, it is," Jasmine said with a smile. "It's not an easy job, especially the marketing bit."
Secret Words (Secret Dreams Contemporary Romance 1) Page 13