Read Goodbye Isn't Forever Online
Authors: Melanie Blake
Goodbye Isn't Forever
Goodbye
Isn’t
Forever
by
Melanie Blake
Goodbye Isn’t Forever
is a work of fiction.
Names, characters, places, and incidents are the
product of the author’s
imagination or are used fictitiously. Any
resemblance to actual persons,
living or dead, events or locales, is entirely
coincidental.
Copyright
©
2016 by
Melanie Blake
All Rights Reserved.
Published in the United States of America 2016
Cover Designer: BetiBup33 Design
No parts of this electronic book may be reproduced or
copied in any form
without the written consent of the author.
I would like to take a moment to thank all of those
that have either helped or encouraged me along my journey for this
endeavor. My family and friends are simply the best. Thank you for
being there and lending an ear. I know I have my moments.
I managed to coerce a few friends to take a break from
their busy lives and be my first readers. Their input has been
invaluable. Suzanne, Elaine, Dawn, and Kelly, I can’t thank you all
enough. Your support and honesty is greatly appreciated.
Thankfully, my indecisiveness is over. For now. I think.
To my son, Joshua. My love for you is
immeasurable.
Thank you for your input. You are one of
one. I love you.
In love and memory of my parents, who never
discouraged my dreams.
I only wish that they could be here to see me reach
mine.
I will miss them forever.
Since you always liked to read “racy” novels, Mom,
this one’s for you.
Time
can change people, but can it change love…
Was
there really a Mr. Right? Alexandra
Kensington often wondered. She mixed and mingled with some of society’s
most alluring men, but none seemed to hold her interest. Not since…well,
why go there? Who meets Mr. Right at 18? No one, that’s who!
Besides, she had forgotten him. Long forgotten his name. She never
thought of Zand Gabriel. Almost never. Almost.
Zand Gabriel
had finally set in motion his dreams. It hadn’t been easy. Not when
he had been expected to step into his father’s successful shoes. He had
given up everything to please his father. Everything. Including the
only girl that he had ever loved. Maybe that was a strong word. Who
falls in love at 18? No one, that’s who! And sometimes, he almost
believed it. Almost.
The
dimly lit club offered little to illuminate the latest patron. Alexandra
Kensington squinted to get a better glimpse of the newcomer. If her eyes
didn’t deceive her, then this guy was gorgeous! Looking at her full
bottle of beer, she grabbed it and quickly poured some into an empty glass on
her table. Ignoring the curious glances from her friends, she took one last sip
of her ice cold beer, and sauntered toward the bar, angling her body to watch
the stranger. With the bottle of beer dangling from her hand, Alex, as
she was known to her friends, slowed her pace when she saw the stranger take a
few steps forward and then braced herself for the inevitable collision.
She felt the slight bump against her left hand as he ran into her and
immediately loosened her grip on the bottle, watching helplessly as it fell to
the floor.
“Oh,
my God! I am so sorry,” the dark-haired man exclaimed, already bending
down to pick up the dropped bottle of beer. As he handed it toward Alex,
his eyes widened as he looked into the most beautiful eyes he had ever
seen. Long, dark lashes framed a pair of clear, hazel eyes and all he
could do was stare.
Alex
was all set to launch into her best pick-up line, but, when she gazed into the
dark brown eyes of the stranger, words failed her. A small smile tugged
at the corners of her mouth as she continued to stare into the soft, dark
pools.
Seeing
the hint of a grin on Alex’s face, the stranger freed himself from the trance
and slowly shook his head. He glanced at his hand and realized that he
still held the near empty bottle of beer. Funny, he thought, I don’t
remember picking it up. As his eyes traveled past the bottle, he became aware
of Alex’s body. He allowed his eyes to peruse the long legs and moved
upwards, taking in her curve-hugging red dress, full breasts that were
tauntingly displayed in the plunging neckline, and a beautiful face framed by
shoulder length blonde hair. He swallowed hard as his gaze settled on
soft, full lips before meeting the sardonic gaze of Alexandra Kensington.
“See
anything you like?” Alex cocked her head sideways. The motion drew
the man’s attention and Alex slowly raised an eyebrow.
Deciding
the question wasn’t rhetorical, the tall stranger cleared his throat and
wondered why he suddenly felt like a stammering adolescent. The blonde,
he realized, was an extraordinary beauty, and one he didn’t want to scare
away. He allowed his gaze to travel around the club before returning
slowly back. He gave the blonde a sly grin before leaning forward and
whispering seductively, “I see nothing that compares to you.” Alex felt a
shudder run through her as the last words were uttered.
“Oh?”
she managed to ask, looking around as well.
He
decided to move this repartee a little further along. Taking a few steps
forward and depositing the bottle of beer on a nearby table, he turned back
towards Alex and merely held out his hand.
“Dance
with me?”
Alex
allowed herself to be led to the dance floor and marveled at how deftly the
tables had been turned. She had her little seduction scenario already
playing in her head. After the gorgeous stranger fell all over her trying
to repay her for the dropped bottle of beer, she would allow him to buy her a
drink, possibly two, and then say she should be going and needed a cab.
Of course, the stranger would feel indebted to drive her home, and the rest
would be bragging rights. What the hell happened?
She
allowed her gaze to travel to her table, and thankfully, to her preoccupied
friends. At least no one was watching. All bets would be off if any
of them saw her being led.
Damn
it! Alex thought angrily. She was never led! Who did this guy
think he was?
Just
as Alex was about to drop the man’s hand and change tactics, he slowed and
turned around, facing her. He smiled as he pulled Alex close and let his
hands settle on her waist. The music had flowed into a slow ballad, and
Alex was left with little choice but to touch this alluring stranger. As
she lightly let her hands rest on his broad shoulders, she felt them shake.
“What?”
she prompted, wondering what had amused him.
He
chuckled. “Are you afraid to get closer?”
Alex,
feeling a little agitated at being called out, let her arms encircle the taut,
muscular neck. For an instant, she marveled at how well they fit
together. She could feel their thighs lightly touching, and before Alex
could plot out her next move, she felt the man chuckling again. As she
tried to lean back to look into his eyes, Alex felt his hands tighten on her
waist.
“I
was going to say that you didn’t have to worry because I don’t bite, but…”
“But
what?” Alex whispered, finding her lips tantalizingly close to his ear.
She felt the shiver of the man in her arms and couldn’t suppress a smug grin.
“But
you might be the exception.”
Alex
pulled back and gazed questioningly into the twinkling brown orbs. “You
want to
bite
me?”
The
stranger pulled her against him, and leaning down, breathed into her ear,
“Maybe not
bite
exactly…but nibble? Yes, I would like to
nibble. Maybe here...”
Alex
felt his lips lightly touch her neck. Just as quick she felt a sharp
graze from teeth followed by feathery kisses. Another vibration rumbled
in his chest as he laughed again. Warm breath was blown in her ear before Alex
heard him whisper softly, “I was wrong. I
do
want to bite
you.” Before Alex could process the comment, he pulled back and looked
into her eyes. “Perhaps, more.”
One
thing was for certain with this guy, he didn’t waste any time with
pleasantries. Alex knew that she was losing the upper hand, if she ever
had it. She needed to take control, now, before it was too late.
Damn this arrogant stranger! Okay, Kensington, get a grip! Time for
a pep talk. You know how to make men become putty in your hands.
This one is not the exception. Yes, he is extraordinarily handsome.
Breathtaking really. And maybe a little sexy. Ok, Alex admitted to
herself, he is a
lot
sexy! Beyond belief, actually. And he
is now looking at me questioningly. Why is he looking at me like
that? Oh, God! Did I just tell him out loud that he is sexy?
No. No, that’s not it. I think I am supposed to answer
something. Oh, hell! He apparently has asked me a
question! What was it? Something about biting? Or was it
licking? Did he just ask me if I liked licking? Or was it being
licked? Did it really matter?!
The
stranger became lost in the moment just watching all of the emotions play
through the hazel eyes. He cocked an eyebrow as he watched the red color
slowly rise on the blonde’s cheeks. He had to admit that he was enjoying
being the cause of such conflict.
Alex
could feel the heat rising but could do nothing to stop it. She wanted to
lower her eyes, but she couldn’t seem to break contact with the alluring brown
ones. Alex felt herself gazing deeper and deeper into the dark depths
until she felt something soft graze her lips. A kiss? Is he
kissing me now? The nerve of this guy! As Alex was prepared to show
complete indignation, something in his eyes stopped her. She didn’t see
the smug or arrogant look that she had expected to see. Only a look of
total surprise. Really? Why would he be so surprised since he was
the one who…Oh no! Oh no, no, no!
It
was me!! Alex realized with horror. I…kissed…him!!