Harlequin Kimani Romance June 2017 Box Set

by Arthur, A. C.

  Less than five minutes later a car pulled up to the mailbox. But it wasn’t the Uber car she’d called. Instead, it was a stretch limousine. The back window rolled down and a gaggle of girls screamed Zoe’s name. In the center of the group of girls sticking out of the sunroof was Kimber Reyes, toting a crown so big it caught the moonlight across the crystals.

  “Evening, ladies,” Zoe said, cheering up. When she’d last checked her phone the time was close to midnight. Didn’t they have curfews? “What are you doing out this late?”

  “After-party!” someone yelled.

  “We wanted to sneak and get a look at your party,” Kimber said.

  “Like, you saved all of us today,” another girl said.

  Someone popped the door open and Zoe sighed as she climbed in. “Well, thanks for the lift. How was the prom?”

  Everyone began to talk at once. The space of the limo was filled with girls and Zoe wondered where all their dates were, but someone else mentioned again about an after-party about to get started. The story the girls gave was that they’d all been together since elementary school and they started out every party together. They’d promised each other that once they were seniors, no matter what cliques they were in, they’d all hang out together at prom. They’d managed to do the same thing for every party throughout middle and high school. Zoe liked the idea of the girls all sticking together rather than focusing on being with boys. It was the confirmation Zoe needed to stay focused on her goals.

  The limousine made its way to the front steps of Magnolia Palace. “Are you guys coming to the pageant tomorrow?” Zoe asked with her hand on the door before their chauffeur could open it.

  “I’ll be there all day,” Kimber said with a droll roll of her eyes. “Come hell or high water, I’ve got to be there.”

  “Why the long face?” Zoe asked.

  “Because y’all are starting at the crack of dawn, which limits how long I can stay out tonight.”

  Zoe grinned and patted Kimber’s shoulder. “Behave tonight.”

  “I’d say the same to you,” Kimber teased right back. “But considering you’ve gone home alone, I’m guessing you have no choice.”

  “You’re cute.”

  “And you’re pretty,” said Kimber. “Don’t waste your pretty.”

  Unprepared for the girl’s rather grown-up response, Zoe burst out in laughter. “Get going, child. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  The girls went on down the road, chanting for the driver to lay on the limo’s horn. Zoe headed upstairs, laughing the whole way to her room. She was glad for the peace and quiet.

  Not wanting to get out of her gorgeous dress so soon, Zoe kicked off her heels and headed into the bathroom to begin her nightly rituals. A part of her felt guilty for leaving Will at the party without so much as an explanation. As she reached for Ravens Cosmetics’s makeup-remover cream, Zoe realized he deserved to know why she left. But if she’d told him, he would only have tried to convince her she was wrong. What she was, was swept up with the Southern heat. After wiping the last remnants of cream off her face, Zoe heard a knock. Her heart slammed against her rib cage.

  “I know you’re in there,” Will said from the other side of the door.

  Zoe contemplated tiptoeing back to her room, but she wanted to lay eyes on him before going to bed. If she couldn’t have him in real life, she could always dream about him. “Why did you leave the dinner?” Zoe asked, opening the door.

  The black bowtie hung loose around Will’s neck and the top three buttons of his white shirt were undone. The cut of his shirt complemented his hard jawline.

  “I left because finding out what’s going on with you is more important than sitting at the table watching everyone else dance.”

  Zoe shrugged her shoulders. “There were other people you could have danced with.”

  “I only wanted you.” Will reached for her hand, pressing it against his beating heart. “What changed when you took that phone call?”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “Don’t act like I don’t know you by now, Zoe.”

  Zoe took a step backward. “No, what you know is the Zoe who has had her head fogged up in these Southern nights. Not the Zoe you met over a week ago when I applied for the director’s position.”

  “Zoe,” Will sighed.

  She’d heard what he said about not liking her work. She didn’t care. “Until I get an official word on Ravens Cosmetics stationery thanking me for the time but saying y’all have decided to go in a different direction, I still have a fighting chance.”

  “And so I have no say in this?” Will asked, letting her hand go.

  “Not really. Save your say for something official, and then let’s go from there. Right now I don’t want to risk what I’ve worked so hard for.”

  Will’s mouth dropped open. He stood in the doorway, gawking. “You’re serious.”

  “As a heart attack.”

  “And what about your personal life, Zoe?” Will asked. “You want to stand here and say your career is worth more than your happiness?”

  Zoe wasn’t sure what the answer was. She shrugged her shoulders and stepped backward.

  “You want to stand here and tell me what’s been brewing between us is just some Southern spell?”

  “Yes,” Zoe said, finding her voice. “We’ll have to wait for everything business between us to be over.”

  “And if you start with Ravens Cosmetics?” asked Will. “We’re supposed to act like there’s nothing between us?”

  “Looks that way.”

  “So, either way I’m being punished?”

  Zoe narrowed her eyes on his face. His lips were thin and his jawline twitched. It killed her to deny them what they both wanted. Her body trembled with such craving. “Will, you’re utterly handsome, heir to the throne of Ravens Cosmetics. You’re bothered that you’re not getting your own way. And I dare say you’re pouting.”

  “Pouting?” Will snorted out a laugh.

  Zoe threw her hands in the air and backed farther away. “Whatever. I’m going to bed.”

  “And just like that,” Will called out to her, “you’re done talking?”

  “Yep,” Zoe yelled over her shoulder, “looks that way to me.” She attempted to kick the door to the bathroom closed with the heel of her bare foot and out of the corner of her eye saw a lightning-like bolt darting toward her.

  “Good, because I’m done talking, too.”

  Will came up behind Zoe and wrapped his arms around her waist. She had just enough time to spin around, face him and open her mouth to protest. Will braced her backside and dipped her. His mouth descended on hers and Zoe loved every moment of it. Will’s left hand slid down the length of her dress and lowered the zipper, exposing her to his touch. His fingers were like feathers, tickling and caressing every inch of her. Zoe’s right leg curled up and wrapped around his waist. She moaned against him.

  Not breaking the kiss, Will lifted Zoe in his arms and brought her over to her bed. The soft mattress absorbed their weight. Will’s magical mouth made love to hers. His hands played with skin, toyed with her nipples and rolled one between his thumb and forefinger. Juices of flat-out desire flowed through her veins.

  “W—” Zoe tried to say his name when he broke the kiss, but when she pulled her head back he pressed his finger against her lips. She waited with anticipation as he moved down her body. He left a trail of sensual kisses behind her ear, neck and throat, and between her breasts. Her nipples throbbed in anticipation of the warmth of his mouth. She closed her eyes tight as she grew dizzy. Humidity hung in the air, but when Will’s tongue circled her nipples, she realized how cool her flesh was. She hadn’t known just how much she needed him.

  Will set another trail of kisses down the curve of her belly. Warm air filtered th
rough her black panties, and when his fingers breached the material Zoe’s hips bucked forward. Zoe discovered he had at some point moved his finger from her mouth when he used both hands to slide her panties over her hips. Using his thumbs, he gently caressed the tender skin of her upper thigh. Zoe opened her legs wider for him to touch. She throbbed for him.

  Will leaned forward, and as Zoe inhaled deeply, he satiated her craving for his touch by delving his tongue into the folds of her lips. Zoe gasped silently and stared upward, where their shadows danced on the ceiling. Heat lightning flashed outside the bay windows. Her toes curled. Will’s tongue licked up and down, sucking and devouring. He sank his forefinger into her wet flesh, and she quivered and wantonly moved her legs over his broad shoulders. Each time she moaned, he pressed further with his ministrations. A wave of what Zoe expected to be the first of many orgasms came.

  Another bolt of heat lightning flashed against Will’s face. He grinned smugly and shrugged out of his shirt. Zoe didn’t dare speak. She licked her lips in eagerness and scrambled to her knees. The palms of her hands itched, wanting to touch him again. Will stood, unbuttoned his trousers and shrugged out of them and his briefs at the same time. His arousal was evident, with the massive erection pointing toward her as he rolled a clear condom over it. Zoe reached her hand to take him but he gently pushed her hand away.

  “Will?” she cried, her brows fusing together.

  “You had your chance to talk, Zoe.” Will inched closer to her. “You’ve told me all the reasons why we shouldn’t be together and now I’m going to show you why we need to be together.”

  In the darkness Will reached for the back of her thigh and, in one swift swoop, landed her flat on her back. In the process, Zoe wrapped her legs around Will’s waist. Will’s thick shaft pressed into her with ease. They both gasped when he fully filled her. A switch went off between the two of them. Their mouths clicked together and they found their perfect rhythm. Zoe’s head swam with dizziness. This was so right. So perfect. She moaned and arched her hips. Will pumped deeper. Even though she was on her back, the sensation of free-falling washed over her. Zoe clung to Will’s back, and he rolled over and positioned her on top of him.

  With her knees supporting her weight, Zoe rocked back and forth, grinding her body against his. She set the tempo to a ballroom foxtrot—quick, quick, slow. Will groaned and eased himself up so she sat in his lap. He feasted on her breasts and Zoe wrapped her arms around his neck again. Sweat drizzled between their bodies. Will nibbled her chin and licked her collarbone. His hands tightened their grip on her body, skin against skin, and guided the rhythm as he drove into her. Zoe bounced and called out his name. At one point, Zoe tossed her head back in the throes of another spectacular orgasm and noticed the rain coming down outside. Water poured against the glass as Zoe melted onto Will. He crisscrossed his arms across her back and pulled her down by the shoulders, then rolled with her, so her back was against the mattress.

  Will covered her mouth with his. Zoe mewed against him. She didn’t know where she wanted to touch him next. Her fingers splayed on his chest. Will lifted his head, offered a lopsided grin, then pulled her hands over her head and pushed against the headboard. Balancing himself on his elbows, Will stared into her eyes and made love to her visually and physically. He looked as if he was taking in an art piece. She felt exquisite and desired.

  A tear threatened at the corner of her eye. She might have cried if another orgasm hadn’t taken over. Will’s body sped up and shivered as they climaxed at the same time. Any bit of doubt she may have had over the two of them being together was washed away.

  CHAPTER 10

  Like the rain, the power of the storm between Zoe and Will subsided. At the crack of dawn Will rose from his well-earned slumber. Zoe lay on her side facing him. Her hands were folded in a prayer position beneath her cheek. The only thing missing was a halo over her cute, messy bed head. She looked like an angel. Will smiled when her long lashes fluttered against her cheekbones.

  Last night had been incredible. His heart filled with something unfamiliar. He never wanted this moment to end. Zoe belonged with him. Somehow he needed to figure things out. Since watching Zoe with the prom girls and hearing her explanation about appropriate makeup, Will’s vehemence about her being over-the-top had subsided.

  “Young William,” a feminine voice called out.

  If Will wasn’t mistaken, it sounded a lot like his sister Eva. She was the one who called him that. Will guessed from sound of the knock that she was at his door. This also meant her twin was somewhere close. This was the last thing he needed.

  “Let me do it. Jerraud taught me a few tricks with locks.”

  So Dana was here, as well. Naked, Will slid out of the bed and trotted back through the bathroom. He locked his side for privacy and sanity.

  “You and your husband have problems,” Eva said.

  “What? We have hobbies.”

  Will grabbed a pair of red ballers and slipped them on before he opened the door. Dana, on her knees, caught her balance before hitting the floor. Eva, however, tripped over her sister.

  “Is spying on your brother one of them?” Will asked. He leaned over to help Eva to her feet. Though she was older by a few years, she was still a foot shorter than he was.

  “Will,” Eva and Dana chorused.

  “Eva wanted to see the pageant.” Dana brushed her hands together. “I wanted to see Sasha Foxx again. It’s been a while since we walked down the runway together.”

  “Whatever. I came partially for the pageant,” Eva said, rolling her eyes. “My other reason is to figure out what’s going on between you and Zoe Baldwin.”

  The mention of her name made his heart jump. Will knew he wanted Zoe to be a part of his life for a while. He just wasn’t sure he wanted his family to know yet. Clearly Dana already discussed Zoe with Eva. It was only a matter of time before whatever story Dana came up with would spread to the family. “She’s in her room.”

  “And you know this how?” asked Eva. She sauntered into the room, her head turning as she snooped in every direction. “Where were you last night?”

  “I thought there was a formal dinner,” Dana added.

  Here came the inquisition. “There was,” Will answered.

  “Where’s your suit?” Eva asked, opening the closet. “It’s not on the floor and you never pick up after yourself.”

  Will trotted to the closet and closed the doors before Eva discovered it missing. “What exactly are you two doing in Southwood?”

  “We wanted to watch the pageant,” the girls chorused. Their sound came out in sync, with Eva beside him with her hand still jiggling the closet handle and Dana on the other side inspecting his made-up bed.

  Damn. Will leaned against the closed closet and watched the twins spy. Thank God he hadn’t brought Zoe in here last night. Thinking of her put a smile to his face. To be sure he didn’t act on his thought, Will swiped his hand down his face. He needed to shave. Hell, he needed to shower. Along with the long list of things Will needed to do, he needed to figure out what the twins were up to. They glanced nervously back and forth at each other.

  “There’s more you’re not telling me,” he said.

  “And there’s something you’re not telling us,” Dana said, changing the subject. His sisters were nosy, but this nosy? “Like, who have you been with, Will?”

  Avoidance? Will scratched the top of his head. “What’s going on with the company?”

  “Nothing.” Dana shrugged her shoulders. “The whole board came into Southwood.”

  “What?” Will did a double take. The idea of his cousins, all the cousins, being there did not sit right with him. He got that RC provided the makeup. Did they make a personal trip just to deliver the goods?

  “They’re just here. No big deal. Don’t worry about it.” Eva pushed Will
by the shoulder. Easy for her to say. Eva stood on her tiptoes and took a whiff of air. As Will dodged one sister by sidestepping her, the other came up behind him and inhaled. “You smell like you’ve been using our products.”

  “What’s going on, Will?” Dana asked. “Why are you so jumpy?”

  “I’m jumpy because you started banging on my door at the crack of dawn,” said Will. “Where’s the rest of the group? I know y’all don’t travel too far without them.” He waited a moment to hear the sound of destruction from his nieces and nephews.

  “This is a business trip,” they said again in unison, and giggled at themselves.

  “The anti-cousins were, uh,” Eva began, “not too happy when they learned from Marcus that Zoe Baldwin was here as the beauty consultant.”

  “Great,” Will mumbled. “Which ones are here?”

  “Dixon, Katie, Brandon and Charles.” Eva used her fingers to tick off the names. “And Cora came.”

  “Cora’s neutral,” Will said. One of the youngest of the Ravens, Cora was too busy living her life as a college student to helm a corporation.

  “She didn’t think it was fair that one interviewee got special treatment.”

  Irritation consumed Will. His knuckles cracked as he made a fist. This would be worse for Zoe now if she did get the position. Knowing Will and Zoe had spent time here together might bug Cora enough to side with the anti-cousins.

  “I don’t get why they’re so quick to make a decision on the position if they are ready to call it quits. Something doesn’t add up.”

  “Your guess is as good as mine,” Dana sighed. “But you know we have your back in whatever decision you make.”

  “Well, if you ladies don’t mind, I need to get dressed.”

  Dana was the first to roll her eyes. “Whatever. We used to change your diapers when you were little.”

  Eva punched him in the arm. “Don’t be so modest.”

  “I’m grown now,” Will clarified and puffed out his chest. “Let the record show, you two forced me to play house with you when I was walking and out of diapers.”