In bed, he was everything she could ever ask for or demand – one minute a kind and considerate lover then turn into an exciting animal who had her screaming for more.
He was everything she wanted in a man, a partner, in her life.
Over the past month, he tried everything to show her he cared, only now to give up.
Her phone rang, “Derek, yes, yes, I understand, no problems.” The world united against her. A mining client cancelled a video conference call and wanted her in Brisbane by mid afternoon. Instead of mooning over her lost love for the day, she would be stuck in a plane.
Could this be an opportunity?
“Layla, it’s Bec. Thank you for arranging the floral deliveries.”
“Hi, Bec, it is good to hear from you.”
“Layla, I don’t know how to approach Geoffrey – I need your help. Does he have classes today?”
“He is in class at the moment, then he doesn’t have another until next week.”
“And his treatments? How is he going?”
“He finished a round of radiation last week and doesn’t go back for a couple of weeks. Bec, you should be talking to him about this, not me.”
“Layla, you know him better than anyone. Have I become a challenge for him, something to focus on other than the cancer or does he want something more?”
“Bec, sweetheart, I don’t know what is going on inside his head or heart at the moment, but what I can tell you is according to any and all of his friends, they never saw him happier than when you two were together. Breaking up with you almost destroyed him. I know that if you hadn’t gone with him to the doctor, he intended to refuse treatment and let the cancer take its course. You made him want to fight. Right now, he has been fighting for you and fighting the cancer.”
“I’m scared.”
“To be perfectly blunt with you, he needs all his energy to be on fighting the cancer. If you don’t know what you want by now, then I’m asking you to tell me you don’t want to hear from him again and I will let him down easily.”
“I need you to do something different. I need him to be on QX673 to Brisbane in two hours. I don’t care what excuse you give him. I’ll send you the ticket with preapproved seating. Can you do that for me?”
“How long will he be gone? He won’t have any clothes packed.”
“He won’t need any.”
“Package delivered,” Bec read the cryptic text from Layla as she completed the security check. Of course, the business woman in the suit would be picked for the random drug check – not the group of young men who appeared to be on an end of season boys weekend.
Everything started with a conversation on a plane. Call it fate, karma or opportunity to be taken when she arranged for them to be trapped on a plane for three hours to sort out whether they had a future or not.
She peered around a post, watching him in the waiting area as their boarding was announced. Dressed in his lecture suit and tie, not even with carry on luggage. He didn’t seem confused or stressed at the sudden need to fly from Sydney to Brisbane on a Thursday.
“Last call for passengers on flight QX673 to Gate 13,” the short distance to the boarding gate were the longest and shortest she ever walked. Bec fiddled with the strap on her handbag, anxious to see Geoffrey, to see his reaction when she sat next to him, but what if he rejected her. What if he thought this gesture too little and too late?
“Sorry, Professor, I forgot to tell you,” nothing made sense Geoffrey thought. Layla was more organized than to forget to tell him she arranged for him to be in Brisbane of all places. Filling in for the Vice Chancellor as a guest speaking at a lunch for major university donors.
Luckily, she had a cab waiting for him after class and ensured he made it to the airport with half an hour to spare. In such a rush, he forgot to ask her if Bec called.
Of course, she wouldn’t have called – why would today be any different to any of the other days this month. He needed to face the ugly truth. He finally found love again and lost it because of his own fear of facing the dragon. His own fault and even though he tried to show Bec how much she meant to him, her silence meant it was too late.
At least, the seats were in first class and with luck, there would be no one to sit next to him. The last thing he wanted was to be stuck in a plane having to make small talk with a stranger. The last time he did that, he fell in love and look how that turned out.
“I believe this is my seat?” a familiar voice and a familiar body claimed the seat next to him.
“What the hell are you doing here? Did Layla call you?” Damn his secretary for pushing them together when he was the last person Bec wanted to be with.
“Actually, I called her. I thought we needed to talk.”
“About what.”
Her kiss answered everything. They crushed together, with Bec as hungry for him as he was for her. They only parted when the hostess politely suggested Bec take her own seat for take off.
The first time they met, Geoffrey talked about his past, and how it clouded his faith in the future. Now they talked about the future and how they would face it together.
“You know, I’m going to want to marry you,” he said as they were leaving the plane
“You know you are going to have to ask me, not just get Layla to send me flowers.”
He spun her into his arms, cupping her face with his hands, eyes burning. Now or never.
“What if the dragon wins?” He needed to hear her to reassure him that no matter what, they would face it together.
“What if we win?” She didn’t answer his question.
“What if the fight is long and hard?” Her reply was a smile warmer than the drugs they ran through his body. “Could you be happy fighting with me, knowing how bad things could get. Knowing the worse that can happen?”
Bec shook her head in disbelief. “You realize this is the most insane conversation to have in an airport.” Surrounded by strangers in a hurry to wherever they needed to be, time stood still for Geoffrey and Bec.
She tossed her head and ran her hands down his chest, remembering how he felt underneath the shirt.
“I’m used to long and hard, remember,” she kissed his neck up to his cheek and across to his lips. “I like it hard, and I can fight harder if I need to.”
He pulled her close, taking her hand and kissing the palm. “I can’t lie to you, you are the only truth I have.”
“What truth are you talking about?”
“I love you. The only reason I pushed you away was because I didn’t want you to watch me fight and die.”
“Let me remind you – I don’t need your protection. I pick my own battles and I like to win.”
“Baby, I love you and no one knows more than I do what you went through before. It didn’t seem fair to put you through everything again – I didn’t want to hurt you.
“What about the flowers? What did they mean?”
“No matter how much I wanted you to walk away, I couldn’t let you go – the flowers my way of saying I cared.
She laughed, “I don’t want your flowers – I never have. I want you.”
All her questions and fears were answered, and her future assured with one perfect kiss.
Wait, there’s more
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Special bonus – for readers of Trusting his Heart
For ten years, Geoffrey carried the last letter from Rachel next to his heart. Follow my Facebook page to see what she wrote.
Choose your own Dirty Sexy Fantasy series
Too much romance for erotica, too many affairs for romance. Every tale in the C
hoose your own Dirty Sexy Fantasy series has many paths to a happily ever after.
The Uni Student
Ava had always loved Alex and leaving home didn’t mean leaving him. Until she met the professor and he opened her eyes to another world and her body to his. Already torn between two lovers, now her handsome study partner wants to be friends with sensual benefits. Check it out now Free on Kindle Unlimited or download for $4.99 from Amazon.
The Intern – release early 2018.
There is more to Jade than you met in The Uni Student. Jade rebuilds her life with Robert who lives to adore her. Life seems perfect when she is awarded a prestigious internship but how can Robert be her Mr Right when she is drawn to the charisma and power of her boss. Download the free promotional extract today.
The Unfaithful Wife – release early 2018
Nina was a forgiving wife – until her husband’s latest affair shook her belief in everything she trusted. Now she must decide whether her future can be based on her own affairs of the heart.
The Question Is – release mid 2018
Grace thought she had found her soul-mate in Sienna. In the years since they met at university, they were a perfect couple. Until Grace caught up with old friends at her high-school reunion and a game of “remember when” with her ex-boyfriend, Seth, turned into something more. Now Grace must face the questions she thought she had already answered. Gay, straight or bi? Shhhh, for reading this far, if you want a free Advance Review Copy of the full book before it is released, DM me via my Facebook page or Twitter!
Bad Boys and Good Men Series
I know you can’t resist my bad boys and have fallen in love with the good men in the Dirty Sexy Fantasy series. Now meet them again, one man per novella with one last chance at love. All levels of steam.
Trusting his Heart
Once upon a time, the great Professor Geoffrey Swains was in love. She died. For ten years he has grieved the loss of his wife and avoided falling in love. Could he ever trust his heart again, especially to a gorgeous stranger on a plane? Cue the tissues. More romance than steam.
Who is Erebus? – release mid 2018
Once you read The Intern, you will want answers to Who is Erebus! Cue the cold shower. More steam than a sauna. You’re welcome.
Table of Contents
Preface
Bad Boys and Good Men Series
A Moment in Time
Not a moment too soon
Truth and consequences
His truth
Sun through clouds
Close enough to touch
Taking things slow
Fall in love
Secure in love
Everything
Reason to live
Trust the head or heart
Wait, there’s more
Choose your own Dirty Sexy Fantasy series
Bad Boys and Good Men Series
Trusting his Heart Page 10