by Fiona Archer
She couldn’t see what it was, but she heard the soft depression of a button and then its release.
A moment later, the world around her came alive.
The silver edges visible in the moonlight gave way to an array of fairy lights. It didn’t take much effort to see the glorious display of foliage and fountains that Landry had created behind the house. Wrought iron framework and scrolling created canopies and long trellised lengths for vines to climb and cling. And the sound of water spraying from the fountains almost sounded like music in her ears, dimming the noise from the city surrounding the property until she could only hear the wonder of the world that Landry had brought into existence.
“It’s amazing.”
He gave her hand a gentle tug, and she turned to look at him. Suddenly the garden wasn’t the most amazing thing she had ever seen.
It was the hooded look in Landry’s eyes as he breathed her in.
“You’re here.”
She dropped her chin a fraction of an inch in some approximation of a nod. “With you.” Honor closed her eyes and drew in the scent of jasmine from the air and the promise of rain. “All of this is because of you.”
“All of this-” He took hold of her free hand and drew her arms around him, bringing her flush against his body. “Is because of us, Honor. A living, breathing testament to what we can create together.”
She leaned into their odd embrace and turned her head slightly so she could lay her cheek against his shoulder. The scent she drew into her lungs then filled her with true wonder.
How long, she wondered, had it been since she had been held by him, comforted by him, and yes, aroused by him?
Landry released her hands, and a moment later she felt his hands on her back, his palms flush against her. “You’ve never been so beautiful as you were tonight, Honor. Seeing the whole event unfold, knowing that you were taking that first real step in fulfilling your dreams, you were transcendent. I’m only hoping that someday you’ll allow me to help you make all of your dreams a reality.”
The world spun around her, making her almost dizzy with need.
“If you’re trying to turn my head, Mister King”—her voice felt warm in her throat and the air against her skin felt like a physical touch—“you’re succeeding.”
His hands moved down her back, and pressed her closer.
If she believed in such things, she could almost say that she felt like he was melting into her, blending them both into one single entity.
“I want more than that, Honor. I want us. And you know I’ll wait for you, there will never be anyone else for me. I just want to know if you’re closer to saying yes than you were before.”
With her cheek against the muscled plane of his chest, she could hear the thrumming beat of his heart and felt the answering rush of rhythm in her throat. She found the courage to tell him the truth that was threatening to drown her if she didn’t let it loose.
If she didn’t give it voice.
“Landry?” She licked her lips and rose up on her toes to speak directly into his ear. If her voice failed her, he might just be able to hear her confession even as a whisper. “The answer is yes.”
He froze against her.
Tensed, as if his body had gone into shock. Honor wouldn’t blame him if that was the case. Even the most patient man she’d ever met and the only man she’d ever loved deserved to have a moment to enjoy the realization that he finally had the answer he wanted.
The answer she knew he deserved.
“Yes, Landry. I’m ready for you.” She turned her head slightly, and her lips brushed up against his neck, just below his ear. “I’m ready for us.”
There it was.
A pristine moment of silence where the whole world seemed to hold its breath wondering if she’d actually uttered the words.
For a moment she considered saying them again, but his lips were suddenly on hers. Love welled up within her, and she felt the very air around them shudder and crack, bringing a sudden shower of rain.
Thank heaven that they were in Landry’s garden, and he was in control. He backed her up beneath an arbor, and the lights woven in through the vines passed overhead like a thousand new constellations, and as his hands worked their way up behind her, plucking her buttons free told her that she would find herself bare to the waist in moments.
Honor arched her back against the post, trying to help him, but he took a half-step closer to her, pinning her amidst the flowering jasmine vines with his hips.
“Let me help.” She tried to move him back, bucking against his body with her own. All it gained for her was a soft groan from his lips and the hard line of his cock pressed intimately against her.
He was hard.
They were wanting.
“Oh god”—he muttered an oath as he pressed harder against her—“we should go inside.”
She had no words for him, her body was aching with need.
“I do have a bed upstairs.”
The last button gave way, and the sheer lace fell away from her shoulders and began a sensual slide down her arms.
Could she wait long enough for a bed?
“Here”—she managed a few words—“right here.”
The vines provided them with protection from the light cascade of rain, but the drops that touched her skin felt like restless kisses.
Honor tried to wrest Landry’s shirt from his body, but there didn’t seem to be enough time.
His lips and hands were everywhere on her face, her shoulders, and the breasts that he’d bared to the warm summer rain. When it came to her skirt, she had to help him lift it, drawing the silk and lace up her thighs to give him a way to the heart of her, the seat of her need.
And he did find his way. Fingers first. Fingers that stroked, and plucked, and slid deep within her folds, mingling the rain with her own aching need.
Landry kept her breathless and trembling until the moment when he caught her, held her still, and then sank home into her body.
Honor sighed, her hands grasping at his shoulders, desperate to tether herself to earth as he took her higher.
He leaned over her, using his broader back to shield her from the warm fall of rain, but she didn’t need him to protect her. Not from the rain, or the thunderous beat of her heart as he filled her again and again.
The scent of the jasmine would never be the same for her.
It would have new meaning for the rest of her life. The heady fragrance would bring the sensation of his fingers digging into her hip, the subtle sting of his hand fisting in her hair, and the aching stretch of her body as he branded her inside.
And out.
She felt him tense. Felt him lift her higher against the corner post of the vine-laden arbor and change the angle of his stroke. He held her, helping her twine about his body as if she were a vine climbing toward the warming light of the sun.
Honor broke in the most brilliant of ways. Shattering and shaking in the protective warmth of his embrace. He filled her, stretched her wide as he pulsed inside of her while he clung to her right back.
As Honor was slowly falling asleep in Landry’s arms, he smoothed his hands over her back, her hips, her arms. He was careful to mind where he touched her because as he’d said a few times that night, she needed her rest.
A soft yawn bowed her body against his, and she murmured against his skin.
“What, love?”
Honor brushed her lips against his chest and wiggled a little closer as she rubbed her leg against his thigh. “We should really call the rental company so they can pick up their tables and chairs.”
“You know, I wouldn’t mind paying for the rentals every day if that meant I could keep you with me.”
“Oh, you can keep me,” she sighed, trailing her fingers down his chest to his stomach and smoothing her thumb over his taut skin, “but I’m sure other events are going to need those tables and chairs.”
“Listen to you.” His hand captured her chin and held her s
till as he turned to press kiss after languid kiss on her lips. “You’re always thinking of what you can do for others.”
His compliment suffused her body with warmth. He had such an effect on her emotions that it made her marvel at their connection.
“It’s just who I am, Landry. And you love me for it.”
Another kiss pulled at her lips as she felt him harden against her thigh. “I love you for a lot of things, Honor.”
“Then I know what I should do before we call the rental company in the morning.”
She saw the curious lift of his brow and decided to be bold again. It was something she knew she could be really good at given all the practice she would have with Landry.
“I’m going to think of you, Landry.” She slipped her hand beneath the sheet and felt his cock jump when she wrapped her hand loosely at its base. “And all the things I can do for you.”
He groaned as her fingers massaged his length. “You’re amazing.”
She moved closer and slid her other hand beneath the sheet. “And you deserve it, Landry King. This and so much more.”
Copyright 2020 Reina Torres
About Reina Torres
Thank you and Mahalo for reading “So Much More,” a little window into the love story of Landry and Honor.
Discover more from Reina Torres with these series:
Delta Force Hawaii
San Antonio First Responders
Mystic Mountain
Center City First Responders
Ellingsford, Montana
St. Raphael, California
Orsino Security
Sylvan City Alphas
Three Rivers Express
… and more
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Born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii, Reina Torres knows all about love, as it’s part of the culture in the islands. Writing both heat and sweet in her romance novels, Reina writes romance for night and day! Contemporary to Historical. Small town to big city. She also enjoys taking walks on the wild side in paranormal romance, from fur to fang, she loves it all and hope to share her love of romance novels with readers from all over the world.
Wounded Hearts
by
S.A. Clayton
Chapter One
Amber
“Mrs. Collins, the doctor will see you now.” I curtly nod, praying my heart to stop beating so hard as I make my way into the doctor’s office. I wasn't expecting an appointment this early. I only found out I was pregnant a few days ago, and honestly, I was surprised when the fertility clinic called and asked me to come in.
I’m alone, something my mother likes to comment on every time we talk, and believe me, I make it a point to avoid her at all costs right now. She loves to remind me that at twenty-eight, I’m single with no prospects of a husband and therefore no way to give her grandchildren. She’s not wrong, but what she doesn't know is I’ve been looking into sperm donation for years. Ever since Dillon broke my heart into a million pieces, leaving me to go gallivanting who knows where, I knew the only way I’d get what I wanted out of life was to take it for myself. So that’s when I called Dr. Fallon. She is the leading expert in fertility testing, and after months and months of tests and procedures, I got those two pink lines I always wanted to see.
“Amber! Thank you so much for being here,” Dr. Fallon says, smiling as she gestures to the empty seat across from her desk. As I make my way into her office and toward the empty chair, she leans back away from her desk until I’m fully seated.
“I honestly wasn't expecting a call so soon,” I admit, my hands sweating so much I have to wipe them against the sides of my jeans.
“I know, and I’m sorry for the short notice, but unfortunately this cannot wait.” I tilt my head and watch as she rifles through her desk, files piling all around her as she takes the glasses off her head, putting them on the edge of her nose. From afar she kind of looks like Velma from Scooby-Doo, with her short red hair, big, black-rimmed glasses, and cheekbones full of freckles.
“What couldn’t wait?” My voice catches because I can tell whatever she's about to tell me isn’t good news. Good news can be told over the phone, bad news only comes from a one-on-one meeting.
“Well, to be honest, this is the first time this has ever happened at one of my facilities and I’m incredibly embarrassed and sorry to tell you that the sperm that you chose was not the sperm that was deposited.”
It takes a few seconds for her words to sink in, and when they do, my whole body goes numb. My hands find their way to my stomach, my eyes looking down at the still flat surface they’re embracing.
“Excuse me? Did you just…” I don't finish the sentence because it's too insane to be real. This can't be real.
“I’m sorry, Amber, I know this is probably a shock—”
“A shock!” I interrupt because how the hell is she so calm right now? She just told me that the father of my baby is someone I didn't choose and could be anyone from anywhere. “How the hell did this happen? Why did this happen?”
Dr. Fallon stands up behind her desk and makes her way around to stand in front of me, leaning against the solid wood frame. “I know this is horrible news, and I can’t apologize enough…”
“Whose sperm is inside of me?” I ask, my tone curt, making her eyes bulge. I know she's questioning whether or not to tell me, but I have the right to those files on her desk, and I want to see them. Now.
“Are you sure you want…”
“I have every right to know who the father of my child is!” My voice rises, and I hear a knock at the door.
“Are you all right, Dr. Fallon?” her secretary questions, but Dr. Fallon tells her that everything is all right, and we finally hear her retreating footfalls.
“I was advised not to do this, but considering the circumstances, I am going to make a judgment call here and go against policy.” She takes a deep breath, turns to grab a file off her desk, and hands it to me. “I just want you to know that the man in this file does know about the mix-up and has chosen not to know anything further.” A sinking feeling settles into the pit of my stomach. My child’s father wants nothing to do with me. That’s what I wanted, right? That’s why I chose this route in the first place, no hassle, no conflict. Yet I still have this weight of sadness that falls over me as my fingers grasp the manila envelope and place it on my lap.
“Where do we go from here?” I whisper, my voice cracking as the weight of all this comes crashing down around me.
“That’s up to you, Amber. We can continue with the pregnancy as planned, or, if it makes you more comfortable, we can terminate and try again with the sperm you originally chose.” The idea of terminating this pregnancy makes me sick to my stomach. From the moment I saw those two pink lines, this baby was loved more than any other child on earth. I know at this moment that I wouldn't be able to do that, so I shake my head.
“I can’t terminate,” I mumble, grasping the envelope tighter and bringing it to my chest.
“If that’s what you want, then we proceed as normal. But just know that anything you decide is okay, there is nothing off-limits here. And the hospital will cover any and all medical expenses for you from this day forward, no matter what you decide.” I nod, grateful for the monetary help, and honestly, I would have asked for it no matter what, but it's nice that they offered it without me having to prompt them.
“Thank you,” I murmur as I get up from my seat, making my wa
y to the door. Before I go, Dr. Fallon calls my name, and I turn to give her one last look.
“Please let me know if you need anything else, or if I can do anything to make this easier for you.” I give her a curt nod and a thin smile before I head out into the office, past the secretary, and toward the front door.
The moment I get into my car, I take the envelope, tear it open, and start to read. What I don’t expect is the name of the one man who swore he would never love me again.
Dillon Harrington, son of Adam Harrington, Governor of New Hampshire, who happens to be the next candidate for President of the United States.
Fuck.
Chapter Two
Dillon
“You have a visitor,” Maria, our housekeeper, calls outside my shut bedroom door. I don't answer, and yet I still hear her retreating footsteps down the hall of our summer house, which is way too extravagant, yet part of our family’s legacy. I hate everything about this place, the white walls, the paintings of dead relatives, and especially the way I tend to feel utterly suffocated and yet completely alone every time I’m here.
Why am I here? Punishment. That’s right, a thirty-year-old man is being punished by his parents for falling in love with the wrong woman. In my eyes, she was utter perfection, but to my parents? She was sub-class and not a woman a man of my station should be dating.
Amber was everything I wasn't: free-spirited, compelling, and the most beautiful creature I had ever seen. I didn't want to break her heart that day, what I wanted to do was take her in my arms and run away. Run away from the responsibility of my name and the duties that come with a father who’s running for President. When my father came to me, asking...no, telling me that I needed to get rid of Amber before the relationship got too serious, it took all of my restraint to stop myself from telling him he was already too late. But then he dangled the one thing he knew would get me to do his bidding: Harrington’s Place.