Harlequin Kimani Romance June 2017 Box Set

by Arthur, A. C.

  “And Mary?”

  Angela stared at him boldly. “Isn’t here. It’s just us.”

  “That’s fortuitous.”

  “Yes, it gives us time to talk.”

  “Am I going to like your answer?” Daniel asked, walking forward and placing his portfolio on the counter. “Perhaps I should uncork this champagne and have a glass to prepare myself.”

  “No need.” Angela shook her head, tossing her mane of hair from side to side. “You’ll like my answer.”

  “Which is?”

  “Yes.”

  “Yes to?”

  “Yes to the weekend in Key West. Yes to the two of us until it ends.”

  He released a long sigh and then laughed. “Could you have led with that?”

  She smirked. “And what fun would that have been? What do they say? Anticipation makes it all the more sweet?”

  “I’m going to look forward to a little revenge, Ms. Trainor.” Daniel strode toward her and planted a swift kiss on her lips. “Wait until the shoe is on the other foot. I’ll have you begging for it.”

  “You think so?”

  “Oh, I know so,” Daniel replied. “And I’m going to enjoy every minute of watching you squirm waiting for my touch, for my kiss, for my—”

  Of all times for the doorbell to ring.

  Daniel released her and strode to the door to let in their client.

  She pulled herself together and smoothed down her dress. But she couldn’t stop the voice inside her head.

  What the hell have I just gotten myself into?

  * * *

  Daniel spared no expense with the plane he’d chartered to take them to Key West on Friday morning. Angela wasn’t sure what everyone in the office might be thinking with both her and Daniel absent, and she didn’t care. She was just going to live in the moment. She’d never flown in a private plane and was impressed with its deluxe interior. Decorated in black and cream with richly textured wool carpeting, the five-seater plane had embossed leather details and its own bathroom.

  “Comfortable?” Daniel asked once they were seated and the plane had taken off for their short flight.

  “Yes, this is lovely.”

  “Well, I try to impress.”

  Angela frowned. “You know, you didn’t have to go through all this trouble. I would have been just as happy driving down to the Keys.”

  “A three-hour drive? What fun would that have been?” Daniel inquired. “No, this is far better. Champagne?”

  “Please.”

  He poured them flutes from the already-uncorked champagne that had been sitting at the beverage bar. “To a great weekend.”

  An hour later, they disembarked. A limo was waiting to whisk them off to a two-bedroom beach cottage in Key West with whimsical painted furniture, locally inspired art and French doors. Angela was surprised that Daniel selected something quaint and charming and not over the top as she’d come to expect from him.

  “What?” he asked when she stared at him.

  “I’m just surprised by the cottage.”

  “You don’t love this place?” Daniel inquired. “Look at that view.” He pointed to the beach, which was steps away from the rear of the cottage.

  Angela shook her head and her ponytail bounced from side to side. “I love it.” She beamed as she thought of the Adirondack chairs facing the Gulf of Mexico. “I just thought you’d pick something a little more ostentatious.”

  “Well, I can be romantic,” Daniel said, coming toward her and hauling her into his arms. “I wanted this weekend to be special and about the two of us.”

  “Well, you achieved that. So what did you have in store for us today?”

  A wicked grin spread across his full lips.

  “Besides that.”

  “Well, after we unpack, I thought we’d stroll around Duval Street, take in the sights and sounds, maybe share a slice of key lime pie and watch the sunset.”

  Angela smiled. “Daniel Cobb, you continue to amaze me.”

  * * *

  That’s exactly what Daniel wanted. He wanted to show Angela how good life could be as his woman. He loved spoiling her as he usually did in most of his relationships, but if he had to admit it, he’d taken more care with this trip.

  Angela had been right. Normally, he would have picked one of the luxury resorts where they’d be waited on hand and foot, but something told him that Angela might appreciate a more subtle approach. Not that he intended for it all to be casual. He had a few tricks up his sleeve to wow her.

  After they’d unpacked and freshened up, he shocked her by having her hop on the back of a scooter he’d rented for the weekend and they headed into town. The streets were bustling with locals and tourists, and they slipped in and out of stores hawking souvenirs, art, collectibles and other Key West treasures.

  They paused long enough for Daniel to buy Angela a ring she’d been admiring through the window. It was a gold band with a pearl and intricate diamonds surrounding it. It was delicate and looked great on her hand.

  Eventually they stopped at Kermit’s for lunch and what Daniel felt was the best key lime pie in town. As the afternoon drew to a close, they meandered back to the pier, where he had a surprise in store for her.

  “What are we doing here?” Angela inquired.

  He pointed to the sailboat. “We’re going on a sunset cruise. C’mon.” He grabbed her hand. “Or we’ll be late.” They walked down the plank toward the boat, where a man dressed in a sailor’s outfit greeted them.

  “Mr. Cobb, welcome aboard.” He helped Angela and then Daniel up onto the boat.

  “Are we here alone?” Angela asked. “I saw a couple of other boats that were filling up with people.”

  “Yes, ma’am,” the man answered before Daniel could. “Mr. Cobb chartered the entire boat for your use to watch the sunset. Dinner will be served at seven p.m. sharp as per your request, Mr. Cobb.”

  “Thank you.” Daniel inclined his head and then looked at Angela. “I hope this meets with your approval.”

  “My approval? Daniel!” She jumped into his arms and he caught her. She wrapped her long legs around his middle. “This is incredible and I can’t wait to watch the sunset with you.”

  The joy emanating from her was infectious, and Daniel couldn’t remember a time when he’d felt so relaxed and so carefree. What was Angela doing to him?

  * * *

  Later, once they’d made their way back to the cottage and sat wrapped in throws on loungers to stargaze, Angela realized Daniel had her under his spell and she wasn’t sure she wanted to come out of it. She’d tried to deny what was happening, but how could she when he’d done all this? Arranging a romantic sunset cruise and the subsequent delicious seafood dinner of Maine lobster, blue crab and oysters was the single most romantic thing a man had ever done for her. He was surpassing her hopes for this weekend and it had only just begun.

  “Did you enjoy the day?” Daniel turned on his side to face her on the lounger.

  Angela nodded, staring back at him. “I was just thinking it couldn’t get any better than this.”

  “Oh, I was thinking it could,” Daniel said and before she could protest, he had drawn her across the short distance and had her sprawled across his hard body on his lounger. He kissed her long and deep. It was an unrelentingly thorough kiss as he claimed her. Made her his.

  A moan escaped Angela’s lips and she wrapped her arms around him. Heated excitement coursed through her at feeling his hard loins underneath her. His hands were everywhere, exploring the length of her body, molding and shaping her breasts and curves as if he were memorizing every inch of her.

  Angela’s senses swam even more when Daniel shifted beneath her until they were sitting upright. His hands traveled under her top, lifting it
over her head. Then his mouth was kissing the hollow at the base of her throat while his fingers deftly unhooked and removed her bra, leaving her naked from the waist up.

  He threaded his hands through her hair and searched her face. “I want you like this. Carefree and naked under the stars.” Then his head descended and he took one nipple in his mouth and sucked.

  “Ah.” Angela threw her head back, holding his head in place as he paid homage to one breast and then the other with his skillful tongue, coaxing, teasing and tantalizing her until she was whimpering.

  She didn’t even realize he’d moved until she was lying on her back on the lounger and felt her shorts and panties being tugged down. In seconds she was naked.

  Even though it was dark, she could see Daniel’s gaze darken, then he lowered himself to his knees on the lounger to the silky mound at the junction of her thighs that begged for his touch. She felt his fingertips first, caressing her, testing her to see if she was ready for the ultimate intimacy.

  She rose up on one of her elbows to watch him and answered his unasked question. “Yes.”

  Then she felt his tongue as it stroked, then circled that tiny nub until it swelled for him. He was so skilled and practiced at coaxing a response from her that when he sucked on it a strangled cry escaped her lips.

  “Daniel!”

  She was lost. She couldn’t think about anything except the sweet feeling of Daniel’s mouth on her and how she wanted all of him inside her. She tried reaching for him to bring him toward her, but he caught both her hands and pinned them to her sides as he continued to feast on her.

  He lifted his head only for a second to remind her of her earlier taunt. “Remember when you said you’d never beg? And I said you’d eat those words?”

  Angela remembered that all-too-familiar taunt and instead of resisting, she eased back on the lounger and took her punishment. And oh, what a sweet surrender it was.

  * * *

  When Daniel was sure that Angela was fully satisfied after three orgasms, only then did he take off the linen pants he’d been wearing and join her on the lounger. She was so passionate that he couldn’t wait to be inside her.

  “Now it’s time for my fun,” Daniel said, brushing damp hair from her face.

  “Oh yeah?” she asked. “And what would you like?”

  “You on top.” He handed her a condom.

  “I think I can arrange that.” Angela slid from beside him until she was sitting astride him. She reached down and grasped his growing member in her hands, rolled a condom on and then led him inside her. She sank down onto him as her entire sweet body closed around him. She clutched his face to her bosom, and the hardened tips of her peaks brushed against him.

  It was such sweet torture and Daniel wanted more. He leaned back. “That’s right, baby. Ride me.”

  And she did. She slid up and down his shaft, slow and easy, then hard and deep, until he filled her. When he tried to grasp her by the hips to quicken the pace, she pushed him back down and continued to sway her hips to her rhythm.

  The shoe was certainly on the other foot now as she milked him, writhing her hips in one moment then kissing him long and hard in the next. He probed the inner sweetness of her mouth until he was gasping his need against her lips. “Baby, please,” he groaned.

  Only then did she increase her rhythm, moving quickly until she found exactly what pleased him. “Oh yes, baby, like that.” He whispered words of encouragement until she took him on a journey unlike any he’d ever had. Their eyes locked at the exact moment that Angela reached her climax.

  Still joined, Daniel gathered her in his arms and switched positions until Angela was underneath them. Then he began moving inside her again. He lost himself in her heat and she tightened her arms around him as he pounded even harder into her. She cried out just as his orgasm hit and his entire body shuddered. Then he collapsed on top of her.

  Reaching for a throw on the opposite lounger, he tossed it over them and curled beside her on the lounger and closed his eyes.

  CHAPTER 15

  From the patio of the cottage, Angela stared out over the Gulf with a cup of coffee on Saturday morning. The sun had long since risen and Daniel was still sleeping, which gave her time to think. She was still grappling with how uninhibited she’d been with Daniel on the patio last night.

  The kind of sex she’d shared with Daniel had made her feel closer to him than any other man she’d been with. She’d developed deep feelings, strong feelings, for this man. Feelings that resembled love. It was as if he’d captured something and now she felt like she belonged to him and vice versa. But she was unsure how Daniel felt because he kept his thoughts hidden.

  Her only indication was how he responded in bed. He was open, honest and giving, but that was as far as it went. Sure, he treated her to the best and most luxurious things that life had to offer, but she suspected he did that with all his women. She’d worried about becoming one of them, a kept woman that he dangled beautiful, sparkly things in front of, but he’d surprised her with this getaway.

  His choice was thoughtful and showed her he cared more about her comfort and wishes than his own. Wasn’t that a thought she should hold on to?

  She was wondering just that when she felt his strong, muscular arms encircle her waist and his lips nuzzle her neck.

  “Good morning.” He was bare-chested and she could feel his morning bulge in the boxer briefs he was wearing.

  She gave him a sideward glance. “Good morning.”

  “How long have you been up?”

  “Not long.”

  “I was hoping to persuade you to join me back in bed, but you’re already dressed.”

  She was. She’d showered and changed into shorts and a halter top. She knew they were good in bed, but she wanted to see what more there was between them. “That’s right. So what else do you have in store for the weekend?”

  Daniel smiled. “I have a few ideas.”

  “Lay them on me,” Angela said, leaving the patio and coming back indoors. She headed straight for the coffeepot to warm up her coffee. “Would you like a cup?” she asked, when she turned and found he’d followed her inside.

  “Love one.”

  She poured him coffee into the mug she’d left sitting beside the pot and handed it to him. As he sipped, she watched him with avid interest. He looked as if he’d just walked off a GQ spread instead of standing there wearing only the briefs he’d slept in.

  “If you’re up for it and don’t mind a little exercise, I thought we could bike up to Old Town, look at the nineteenth-century architecture, visit the Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum with its beautiful garden, then maybe trek our way up to the lighthouse and get a bird’s-eye view of the entire island and then finish our hard work with a picnic lunch on the beach. How does that sound?”

  Angela leaned across the countertop and felt Daniel’s forehead with the back of her hand. “Are you feeling all right, because I could swear you’re getting into playing tourist?”

  He grinned. “Only because I’m with you,” he responded. “You’ve never been before and I thought you might like to know some of the history. I saw you browsing through my collection of books at my penthouse the other day.”

  “Who would have known you were a closet history buff?”

  “There’s a lot you don’t know about me,” Daniel replied, cheekily. But as he said it, Angela knew it was true. They’d barely delved beneath the surface with each other. And it gave Angela pause. Should she continue down this path when the future was so uncertain?

  “Angela,” Daniel said, cutting into her thoughts. As if reading her mind he said, “Whatever you want to know, you can ask.”

  “Really?” She rubbed her chin. “Hmm… Let me think about it.”

  And for the next half hour, they did a speed roun
d of getting to know each other. Angela learned he lost his virginity at sixteen with his eighteen-year-old neighbor in the back of his first car, a Nissan 200SX. She found out he hated cooking as much as she did, but equally enjoyed eating out. She also learned he hated brussels sprouts, but adored macaroni and cheese. His favorite movie was Legends of the Fall because Brad Pitt was an antihero and he liked his bravery in taking care of his brother. She even discovered that he was terribly afraid of frogs after an incident when one leaped into his mouth as a teenager, but generally loved all other animals.

  What he was close-lipped about was his love life. When Angela asked if he’d ever been in love, he quickly changed the subject, rushing off into the shower to get ready for the day. She stared at his retreating form. She’d touched a nerve. And it made her wonder. Who was the woman who’d hurt him so badly that he kept women at arm’s length?

  Angela determined in that moment that he wouldn’t do the same to her. Slowly but surely she’d work her way into his life and perhaps into his heart.

  * * *

  Daniel couldn’t believe how much fun he was having with Angela. If anyone had told him that he’d break his cardinal rule and sleep with a coworker, he would have called them a bold-faced liar, but Angela wasn’t just any woman. She was special. And the more time he spent with her, the more he was seeing how kind and caring she was.

  He’d watched as she stopped her bike to help an old lady across the road as they made their way to Hemingway’s house. And later he’d seen her explain the history of the lighthouse to a young girl who couldn’t have been more than seven or eight years old. She had a natural, easy way with people that made them relax in her company, including him.

  He would never have suggested this sort of date with any other woman he’d dated. They would have wanted to sit by the pool or be pampered in the spa, but not Angela. He loved seeing her blond-streaked waves blow in the wind as she let her hair down because he’d liked it that way. And he’d enjoyed seeing her tush hug on that bike. Several times, he’d wished she was riding him back at the cottage.