Forever My Love: A Contenporary Romance (The Armstrongs Book 2) (12 page)

“You showed them, didn’t you?” Ryan asked, leaning down to kiss her neck and nibble on her earlobe.

“Sure. They were very impressed.”

“I bet. Come on, let’s go watch my mother blow out the candles on her cake.”

Kendra stood in front of Ryan and watched the family tradition with a smile upon her face. The Armstrong’s were such a tight knit family, and she felt fortunate that she was allowed to be a part of them.

“Happy Birthday, Mrs. Armstrong,” she told Joyce a few minutes later as she handed her the small wrapped package. She’d gone shopping for a gift, finding a lovely blue and white silk scarf that she knew would look lovely on the older woman.

“It's Joyce, Kendra." Then she unwrapped the package and said with both a hug and a kiss upon the cheek, "This is so beautiful. Thank you my dear,”

Kendra turned to find Ryan watching her with a shielded look in his eyes. “She liked it,” she told him as she walked towards him.

“Did you doubt she would?”

Kendra shrugged, laughing when Ryan grabbed her hand and pulled her with him through the kitchen and into the large pantry. “Ryan, what are we doing in here?”

He left the door partially cracked and looked around, “I don’t know. I thought maybe I'd see what was cooking and if I needed to add any kindling to the fire.”

Kendra laughed and tried to avoid his tickling fingers, but there was very little room to maneuver. “We should go back out there. What if you parents come back here and find us?”

“They would just go away again. It’s my brothers we should be worrying about.”

She leaned over and gave him a brief kiss on the cheek, “We can do this later.”

Ryan snagged her around the waist and pulled her against him. He was leaning back against the wall and widened his legs so that she fit between them. “Now. You let the girls see your belly button ring. I want to see it too.”

“You know what it looks like.”

He placed a kiss upon her neck, sending tingles down her spine. “Show it to me.”

She tipped her head to the side, allowing him greater access to the sensitive spot beneath her ear. “Hmmm....Uncover it for me.”

He unbuttoned the bottom of her shirt, letting his fingertips skim over the smooth skin of her abdomen until they encountered the piercing. He toyed with it, sending shivers of delight straight to her core.

“Ryan…”

“Shush. One more kiss.” He took her lips, ravaging her mouth while his finger played under her shirt.

The addition of light to the darkened space had Kendra trying to push away from him, but he held her firmly against him. “Don’t move or we’re both going to be really embarrassed.”

She felt the evidence of his desire for her and tried not to laugh. In the doorway, Samantha stood with her hands on her hips shaking her head. “You two need to get a room. That’s disgusting.”

Ryan made a face at her and then asked, “Did you need something?”

“I was just going to say ‘Goodbye’ to Kendra. Bring her around more often. I like her.”

“Bye, brat. Be good.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Samantha told him as she pushed the door mostly shut once again.

“Well, that was embarrassing,” Kendra told him, pushing away from his arms.

“What do you say we move this party back to your place? We could grab some takeout on the way and you could show me your piercing.” He waggled his eyebrows at her, sending her into a fit of giggles.

“You, sir, are incorrigible.”

“But you love me anyway. Let’s go tell the folks ‘Goodbye’ and get out of here.”

Ryan and Kendra told his parents and his brothers “Goodbye” and then headed back to her place. She smiled all the way home. She was so happy, and after meeting Ryan’s family, she was feeling very confident about the future. Very confident indeed.

***The End ***

Please enjoy a preview of the story of Dean and Melissa

I Love You Twice

Falling for Him, Book Seven

Jessica Gray

Mellie’s head was buzzing. With trembling hands she tied the apron around her waist and listened carefully to Denise, her co-worker and a veteran waitress at the Lake Perry diner.

“Greet the customer, hand them the menus, take their drink order, and only then ask if they’re ready to order. If they are not, give them a few more minutes before you return.”

Today was her first day working as a waitress at the diner. The summer season was just getting started, and she hoped to make enough money to pay for college classes in the fall. She’d turned 21 a few weeks ago and was ready to take on the world. In keeping with her new grown up persona, she’d decided to use from now on her given name – Melissa. It sounded much more mature than Mellie!

A young family entered the diner and Denise nodded her head towards them, showing it was time to put theory into practice. Melissa gave her a hesitant smile and nodded her head.
I can do this!

She grabbed two regular menus, and two kid menus, complete with two cups of crayons. Approaching their booth, she smiled broadly and introduced herself, “Hi, folks. My name is Melissa and I’m going to be your server this morning.”

“Good morning, Melissa. You’re new here, aren’t you?” asked the father in the group.

“I am,” she admitted, “but don’t worry. I’ll take good care of you all.”  She handed around the menus and gave the kids the crayons, “Do you two like to color?”

The two little blonde heads nodded, eager to use the crayons. Melissa smiled and whispered to them, “Don’t tell anybody, but I like to color too.” She winked at the kids and then took out her pad and pen. “Now, what I can get everyone to drink?”

After returning with their drink orders, she wrote down their food order, handed it off at the kitchen window and turned to see Denise watching her. “How’d I do?”

“Melissa, you’re a natural.”

Melissa beamed at her and felt herself stand a little taller. It was amazing what a few words of praise could do for a person’s confidence!

“Order’s up!” came the call from the kitchen.

Melissa turned and then paused for a moment, unsure of the next step. She had four plates to deliver to a table halfway across the diner, and only two hands. Denise smiled as she accurately interpreted her hesitation.

“Hey, don’t panic. Before long you’ll be handling one of the large trays like a pro, but for now, let me help. You take two, and I’ll follow behind you with the other two.”

“Really?” Melissa asked in relief. “Thanks, Denise.” The two women grabbed the warm plates and within a few minutes they were both back behind the counter and Melissa enjoyed her first success.

The bell above the door jangled again. Our second guest this day! A handsome man entered the diner. He headed straight for the counter and sat down. Denise turned to Melissa, telling her, “Dean Armstrong. You can have him. He gives good tips. But, he’s weird. He’ll probably try to talk to you about some gross bugs.”

“Bugs?” Melissa asked, not sure if she should thank Denise or not. She turned to look at the customer in question, but he had his head buried in the menu and all she could see was the top of his head.

“Yeah. He’s a regular.”

“Okay, thanks. I can use a few good tips,” Melissa told her, grabbing her pad and pen and heading in the mystery man’s direction.

“Hello. I’m Melissa. Can I get you some coffee?” she asked, hoping to draw him away from the menu and get a good look at a man who liked to talk about insects. When he lowered the menu and looked up, Melissa forgot everything except for how gorgeous he was. He had broad shoulders, and muscular arms. Not bulging biceps, but lean and well-defined arms. Just the way she liked it. His dark, short hair showed a few unruly strands hanging into his forehead. Her fingers itched to bury themselves in his hair and feel the softness. But the most intense impression on her made his steel-blue eyes. Eyes that looked at her in a way she’d never experienced before.

Her knees trembled, her heart raced, and then the fear set in.
He’s perfect! But I don’t want or need a relationship! Men are way too much trouble!
Melissa mentally chided herself for being swayed by a man’s looks.
But you have to admit, he is absolutely gorgeous!

Remember Happy? Your daughter?
Melissa quickly reminded herself what had happened the last time she’d allowed a good looking guy to turn her head. She’d ended up alone and pregnant. Her daughter Happy would turn three soon, and since her biological father had taken off; Melissa hadn’t had a serious relationship or any relationship at all. It was better this way.

The few guys she’d been interested in had disappeared the minute they found out she had a toddler waiting for her at home. Faster than she could blink!
No, I don’t need a relationship. Happy and I are doing just fine by ourselves. Besides when would I have time for a boyfriend?

Melissa had just finished high school and wanted to go to college. A college degree was the only way she would ever be able to provide for Happy without living paycheck to paycheck. That’s why she’d taken this job. To earn enough money this summer to pay for college when it started up in the fall. And between school, work, and taking care of Happy, there was absolutely no time left for a boyfriend. None at all!

(End of Sneak Peak)

To continue reading, pick up the book of Dean and Melissa in the Falling for Him series:

I LOVE YOU TWICE, Falling for Him, Book 7

The Armstrong series continues with the youngest brother Evan. In DARING TO LOVE the risk-loving professional ski racer Evan meets ski instructor Charlene.

Coming soon…..
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Acknowledgements

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You might enjoy my other books as well:

The Armstrongs:

Each of the books can be read as stand alone novel and you can read it in any order you want, but for best enjoyment, you might want to read it in the order below.

Book 1
: Power of Love (Trevor and Nicole) 
http://jessicagraybooks.com/trevorarmstrong.html

Book 2
: Forever my Love (Ryan and Kendra)
http://jessicagraybooks.com/ryanarmstrong.html

Book 3
: Daring to Love (Evan and Charlene)  coming soon

Book 4
: Surprised by Love (Douglas and Toni) coming soon

Falling for Him Series:

Books 1,2,3 and 5 should be read in order. Books 4, 6, 7 and 8 can be read as standalone novellas.

Book 1:
Rachel and Peter
http://jessicagraybooks.com/falling1.html

Book 2:
Rachel and Peter in Spain
http://jessicagraybooks.com/falling2.html

Book 3:
Rachel goes Business
http://jessicagraybooks.com/falling3.html

Book 4:
Lara and David
http://jessicagraybooks.com/falling4.html

Book 5
: Rachel and Peter’s Wedding 
http://jessicagraybooks.com/falling5.html

Book 6:
Stubborn Love  (Clara and Nigel)
http://jessicagraybooks.com/falling6.html

Book 7:
I Love You Twice – (Melissa and Dean)
 
http://jessicagraybooks.com/falling7.html

Book 8:
Christmas Miracle – (Rachel and Peter)
 
http://jessicagraybooks.com/falling8.html

Stand-Alone Novellas:

Entangled Love

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HKKDS66

Destroyed Dreams

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FSJ8Q2W