One to Love (One to Hold #4) (35 page)

I nodded, knowing what he was getting at.

“I’ll be tied up with meetings and networking during the day,” he said. “But every night, I’ll go to that bar.”

I studied him. A one-night stand was one thing, but a one-week stand? With him? After that? It felt like a recipe for disaster. It was going to be hard enough to move past what just happened between us, but adding five more days on top of it? I might never recover.

“I’ll be on some regimen at the spa, I guess,” I said, my eyes never leaving his.

He put one palm on the wall beside my face and lowered his. Our mouths were a breath apart. “I hope I’ll see you again.”

I almost melted on the spot. My eyes blinked slowly. “It’s a nice bar. And I like cava.”

That small grin lifted the side of his mouth, and he kissed me lightly before straightening up and slipping the shirt back over his head. His hair was now in messy waves, and I wanted to run my fingers through them again. Instead, I stepped into my wedge stacks and took the hand he offered as he led me through the dark room and out the side door. He paused to lock it and then turned to face me.

“Shall I escort you back to your room?” he asked.

I shook my head no. I didn’t want him knowing my room number yet, although he could easily ask the front desk for it, I supposed.

“Then
adieu
,” he said, lifting my hand and kissing it. “Til tomorrow night.”

I watched until he released me, then I turned and walked as steadily as possible to the exit, to the spa side of the resort where we were staying.

* * *

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O
ne to Keep

(Patrick & Elaine)

––––––––

W
e walked some more, then we took a place by the fire again. She told me about her brothers and her favorite aunt—her dad’s younger sister who had moved in with them after her mom left. She talked about growing up with Melissa and about living on the coast.

We sat with our bodies touching, and we sat apart, with her feet in my lap. But that never lasted long before we were back to bodies touching again. Finally, I looked around at the deserted patio and realized how late it was. I could see she was tired, and I stood, holding out my hand to help her up.

“I’ll walk you back to the spa.”

She nodded slowly. We didn’t speak the entire way, and all I could think about were her lips and covering them with mine. I’d been thinking about it all night, but I wanted to handle this one differently—right for a change.

Stopping at the entrance, I paused, lightly cupping her cheeks. Her green eyes met mine, and she smiled. In a flash I kissed her, opening her mouth, finding her tongue for the first time. My arms moved to her waist, pulling her closer. Our bodies molded together and a little noise escaped her throat. The sound sent a blaze of desire racing through me, focusing directly below my belt. But I wasn’t rushing that. Not this time.

“Goodnight.” My words should have parted us, but I held her closer.

Her arms held me tightly as well, and I knew this was different from anything I’d experienced before. All of this was tectonically different.

Forcing myself to let her go, I stepped back. I couldn’t look in her eyes or I’d never do what I had to do right now.

“I hope I’ll see you tomorrow.” An ache was in my throat.

“I’ll call you.” Her voice was quiet.

I turned away, and my heart, my soul, everything stayed behind as I took the first step and then the second back to the main hotel where I was staying. I’d only made it three feet when I heard her rushing up to me.

“Patrick?” It was a high whisper, and I immediately stopped, turning to face her.

She was gorgeous standing in the moonlight, the dry breeze pushing her silky hair off her shoulders. I wanted to cover those shoulders with kisses, wrap my fingers in that hair. She reached out, and I caught both her hands in mine.

“Yes?”

“I don’t want you to leave me.” She was breathless. “I know this is fast. It seems crazy, but... I want to spend the night in your arms.”

Her delicate pink tongue touched her bottom lip, and she didn’t have to ask me twice. Two steps was all it took to have her body secure against mine again. I caught her cheeks and lowered my mouth to cover her soft, beautiful lips.

Our kisses came fast, hungry, and she held my neck, my face, her hands quickly dropping to my waist, making their way under my shirt to the skin beneath. I loved her touching me. I kissed her jaw, and another noise came from her mouth. The sound killed any hesitation on my part. Breaking away, I looked around for somewhere close I could take her.

“Come with me,” I said, holding her hand and leading her back the way we came. We weren’t far from the smaller pool, and while it was dark and locked, I’d noticed a break in the bushes when we’d strolled past it the first time.

Leaning down, I carefully stepped through, and it took me right into the dark courtyard. Going back, Elaine was waiting and when our eyes met, she smiled. My chest rose at the sight of her, and all I could think of was sliding that dress off her body, tasting her, being inside her.

I pulled her into the small pool area and into my arms again. Our mouths collided, and I only broke contact to whip my shirt over my head. Pulling her back to me, I eased the top of her dress down, allowing her bare breasts to meet my skin, and we both sighed.

“Mmm,” she breathed, moving her hands to my back and pulling me closer. The little noises coming from her with every breath had my cock straining against my zipper. I wanted to lift her against the tiled column and sink inside her right then, but I stepped back, guiding her to the cushioned lounge chair hidden in the back corner. She held the top of her dress, as if trying to pull it back up.

“No,” I whispered, taking her hand away and replacing it with mine. Her breasts were heavy in my palms, and I circled my thumbs over her taut nipples. Her eyes closed and she lowered her forehead to my shoulder with a little moan. “I want these out,” I said, kissing her jaw, her lips, leaning down to pull a nipple into my mouth.

Another little noise, and she kissed my neck. “What if someone sees us?”

I looked around quickly, making sure we were well hidden in the locked courtyard. “Don’t worry, we’re safe here.”

Laying her back on the cushions, my hands slid down the smooth skin of her legs. I kissed the top of her foot, and she sighed. Traveling higher, I lifted the hem of her dress and my breath disappeared. No panties, and her skin was completely bare.

“Gorgeous,” I murmured, leaning forward and kissing the inside of her thigh before sinking my tongue between her folds.

“Oh, god!” Her back arched and she cried out, clutching the sides of my head as I tasted her sweetness. I pulled her up to me, her ass in my hands, and I sucked, nipping her clit then plunging two fingers inside.

“Patrick!” she moaned as her thighs jumped. Her noises grew louder the more I kissed and sucked her. She was sweet and swollen, a juicy peach I slid my tongue through, circling as she gasped and whimpered my name. My tongue explored every opening and crease, teasing and tasting, until I felt her coming hard against me. Her hips bucked, and I lowered her fast, condom in place. One last kiss and I plunged inside.

“Fuck me,” I groaned. She was hot and tight and so slippery.

Her arms wrapped around my neck as her hips continued to rock, and I thrust again, harder. Inner muscles tensed, pulling and massaging my dick so beautifully.

“Elaine,” I breathed as I kissed her shoulder, holding her body, trying to slow my pace. I didn’t want it to end too fast, but I was powerless against my desire for her. My stomach clenched as need took over and my thrusting grew faster.

Her body surrounded me, tightened on me, and had me shooting over the edge. My ass tensed with each push and the sound of her moans filled my senses. Everything had gone dark, and my sole focus was the mind-blowing pleasure of my cock shooting off deep between her thighs, over and over.

“Jesus,” I groaned as my orgasm slowed. My lips were on her neck and her hips moved against me. Her insides spasmed, drawing me out as she held me close, bonding me to her. I couldn’t imagine letting her go.

I kissed her neck, cupping her bottom in my hands. “You are so fucking amazing,” I murmured, and she started to giggle.

I leaned up to cover her mouth, smiling as I kissed her, tasting her peppermint kisses as she sighed happily and giggled again.

“Stop laughing and kiss me,” I murmured against her cheek.

“Oh, god, I can’t help it,” she gasped, a smile in her voice. “That was fucking incredible.”

I kissed her again. “Have I told you it’s very sexy when you swear?”

She leaned forward to kiss me hard, quickly curling her tongue with mine before moving her lips to my ear as she whispered, “As sexy as your groans when you come inside me?”

My cock was stiffening again. “Damn, woman,” I said with a grin, and she hugged me, her breasts pressing against my chest. “Keep that up, and I’ll have to fuck you again.”

“Mmm,” she purred. “Please do.”

I leaned back to remove her dress completely, but she slipped to the side. I disposed of the condom, and she took my arm.

“I want you in the pool with me.” Her lips grazed mine. “Now.”

* * *

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One to Keep
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Did you love
One to Love
? Then you should read
One to Keep
by Tia Louise!

There's a new guy in town...
 
"Patrick Knight, single, retired Guard-turned private investigator. I was a closer. A deal maker. I looked clients in the eye and told them I'd get their shit done. And I did..."
 
Patrick doesn't do "nice."
At least, not anymore.
 
After his fiancée cheats, he follows up with a one-night stand and a disastrous office hook-up. His business partner (Derek Alexander) sends him to the desert to get his head straight--and clean up the mess.
  
While there, Patrick meets Elaine, and blistering sparks fly, but she's not looking for any guy. Or a long-distance relationship.
  
Patrick's ready to do anything to keep her, but just when it seems he's changed her mind, the skeletons from his past life start coming back.
 
WARNING: Recommended for adult readers (18+) only! Mature themes, strong language, and sexual content... LOTS of sexual content. Patrick is a naughty boy until he meets Elaine. So there's the warning--if you keep reading, please relax and have fun! (It's meant to be fun. *wink*)