COME
AND GET YOUR LOVE
by Tina
Donahue
Blurb:
Their desire wasn’t
supposed to be real…
Marriage
it is, at least for a year to satisfy her greedy brother who wants the
inheritance.
Uh-huh.
The devil’s in the details. Longing gazes turn to tender intimacy and wild
nights with pretend feeling all too real.
Damn
shame it may be too late with her brother gunning for them both.
PG EXCERPT
Cass had expected to be somewhat jittery
today, but his anger with Willy was still fresh enough to have calmed his
nerves, though not his thoughts. As the Wedding
March swept through the gigantic space, Cass wondered if Willy would say or
do something to hurt Lissa.
I’ll
pound you into the ground if you try.
It’d be more entertainment for the six
hundred or so guests.
They oohed, then ahhed at the ringbearer who
tripped, the flower girl who wet her panties halfway down the aisle, and a
dozen bridesmaids dressed in filmy lavender gowns who grinned as if their lives depended on
it. So much for having a small affair. Marvella and the rest of the bridesmaids
had walked slowly, each of them taking Cass in as if he were on the auction
block. Some of them eyed him so much they made this the longest damn wedding
he’d ever suffered through.
Patty must have thought the same. She hung
on to one of the chairs while her gaze whizzed around the room decorated with
more flowers than a Texas politician’s funeral.
Cass would have given a few years of his
life for some fresh air and a faster pace to these proceedings. After what
seemed like hours, it was time for the main event. A hush fell over the guests
as Willy stepped into view. Cass glared at the man, warning him to be nice or
risk death.
Curling his upper lip, Willy held out his
arm for Lissa.
No, wait. There she was.
Cass lost every bit of air in his lungs.
Dear Lord, her hair was beyond glorious, curling this way and that, free and
loose just as he’d wanted. Thank you,
sweetheart.
He couldn’t look at her dress enough.
White as a cloud, it sparkled each time she breathed.
Although Lissa’s veil hung over her face,
he could see that her gaze was down as Willy delivered her to his side…for
safekeeping and a lifetime of what should have been love. Cass took her hand
gently in his, surprised at how icy her fingers were.
Lissa lifted her face.
Her expression softened; it yearned as
much as his.
Cass smiled.
Uncertainty, then something he couldn’t
read passed over her face. She turned away.
His stomach fell. He wanted to ask what
had just happened, what the problem might be, besides this nutty wedding. He
needed to know if she’d ever want him as her real husband or even for a couple
dates, but couldn’t get into that now. The minister had already started.
Cass’ beat out of control, yet he said his
vows in a surprisingly strong voice and then eased his mother’s ring onto
Lissa’s finger, warming her hand with his own.
When it was her turn, she claimed that
she’d love him for all time, then slipped a gold band onto his finger. A
warning to the world that he belonged to her now.
As crazy as it was, Cass suddenly wanted
that.
The ceremony continued, for days it
seemed. He felt as if he’d been doing this all of his life. Finally though, the
minister shut up for a few seconds, broke into a broad smile, and said, “You
may now kiss your bride.”
He saw her flash of desire, followed by
more uncertainty, maybe fear. Why? He’d never hurt her.
Cass cupped her beautiful face in his
hands. His work-roughened thumbs stroked her velvety cheeks as he lowered his
mouth to hers. This time, he kissed Lissa with tenderness, respect, and
patience. She was his wife and deserved the best.
Adulte Excerpt #1:
Cass leaned to the left, but the sun still
reflected off the car’s windshield, hiding the passengers from him. Not that it
mattered since he knew who they were. An Atlanta debutante who wanted to get
around a trust and her attorney who was helping her do it. Sweet Jesus, what
had he gotten himself into?
Now that she was there, Cass wanted to
run.
He was certain she wasn’t only spoiled,
but probably had a voice that would shatter safety glass, not to mention looks
only a blind mother could love. Her attorney had refused to send Cass a picture
of her, warning him not to search for one on the Internet.
“This is business,” he’d said in a soft
yet nasty voice. “If you look into Ms. Lee at all, I’ll know, and the deal’s
off.”
He was ready to go back inside the house
and throw the lock when the driver’s side door popped open and a balding blond
guy got out. “Mr. Bronson?”
Unfortunately. “Uh-huh. Mr. St. Claire?”
“That’s right.” He went around to the
passenger door and opened it.
Cass took a deep breath, reminding himself
this was necessary to pay the bills, keep the land and house. He wasn’t even
expected to consummate the—
His thoughts stopped dead at the young
woman who stepped out.
Her hair fell in soft waves to her waist
and was the color of a Texas sunset…shimmering red with a few gold highlights..
The dress she wore was short and sleeveless with a scooped neck but no shape.
Didn’t matter. A stiff breeze pushed the pale yellow fabric against the faint
curve of her tummy, smallish breasts, and tightened nipples.
She wasn’t wearing a bra.
Cass’ cock went instantly stiff, while his
gaze prowled down her. Damn, he couldn’t detect a panty line either. Now his
rod was beginning to ache. He glanced lower still.
Lord, but she had nice thighs, slender
calves, and ankles too, not to mention tiny feet in her wedged sandals. They
added about three inches to her height. Barefooted, she’d be one mighty small
woman.
How could any normal man find her lacking?
Her eyes were pale blue, circled with dark
lashes, her nose as delicate as the rest of her features…all except for her
mouth. It was pink, her lips as full as Angelina Jolie’s, and looking to be
hotter than this day.
He swallowed.
“This is Ms. Lissa Lee,” Mr. St. Claire
said.
Cass had to hold back a grin of delight
since this arrangement was supposed to have zero fun, and she looked kind of
daunted. Poor thing. Feeling oddly protective, Cass wanted to assure her that
everything was going to be all right, but hadn’t a clue how it could be. They
were supposed to live together in wedded un-bliss for a year, which meant they
were both going to be celibate.
Somehow, Cass
hadn’t thought of that until now, and suddenly realized he was fucked big time.
Holding back a sigh, he took off his hat and went down the steps to claim her.
Excerpt #2:
Lissa trembled slightly at his approach,
delight mingling with uncertainty that she was actually going to do this.
He stopped near enough to touch but not to
intimidate. “Nice to meet you.”
The world shifted slightly at the quiet
thunder of his voice, rumbling and deep, unbelievably sexy. However, Lissa also
heard caution.
Before either of them bolted, she offered
her hand. “Mr. Bronson.”
“Please, call me Cass. We are engaged,
right?”
He had a beautiful smile. His teasing
wasn’t bad either. “We are. So you best call me Lissa.”
“Lissa it is.” His hand swallowed hers,
his skin warm and dry, palm deliciously calloused.
Lissa’s knees wavered, and her pussy
creamed. Good lord, he felt good and smelled awesome. Something fresh and
woodsy with a hint of vanilla. Old Spice? She leaned closer to get another
whiff, the top of her head coming only to his shoulder. His pecs strained
against his tee with his breath.
She never knew a man’s chest or shoulders
could be so broad or his hair so freaking perfect. Thick, shiny, a warm
chocolaty color falling in tousled waves over his forehead. His brows were also
dark, his skin bronzed from the sun, eyes a surprising shade of gray with laugh
lines at the corners and an inner fire that stole her breath.
So much longing pulsed through Lissa, she
couldn’t think.
Auggie cleared his throat loudly.
Ignoring the intrusive noise, Cass ran his
thumb over hers, making Lissa’s teeth tingle.
“We should go inside and get the
legalities taken care of,” Auggie mumbled.
With his reminder that this was merely a
deal, not a love match, Lissa finally eased her hand from Cass’.
After regarding her for a tantalizingly
long moment, Cass inclined his head to the house. “We can talk in the kitchen.”
Of course, it would. Auggie didn’t have to
keep reminding her of the obvious. Even if this hadn’t been a business
arrangement, Cass wasn’t going to fall in love with her. None of the other men
in her life had, except for Auggie. The guys Lissa had dated and foolishly
hoped she’d share a future with were interested in her pedigree or wealth, not
what she had to offer as a person.
Suppressing a sigh, she gave Cass a
nervous smile as he held the front door open. “Thank you.”
He regarded her with easy warmth. “My
pleasure.”
Damn, he was hot and nice. The whole enchilada. Once inside the house, Lissa calmed
her wayward lust by taking in the front parlor that boasted polished hardwood
floors along with Victorian knickknacks and furniture. The room smelled lemony
fresh and clean, genuinely loved.
She smiled. “What a beautiful place.”
“Grandma and Mom did all the decorating.”
He was directly behind her, sending
Lissa’s pulse into a sprint from his voice and proximity. If Lissa hadn’t known
better, she would have sworn she felt his body heat. “They did a great job.”
“Thanks. Kitchen’s this way.”
Lissa and Auggie followed him through a
hall with snug rooms on either side, all with high ceilings and vintage
furniture. The kitchen was as immaculate as the rest of the house, the
appliances old but well cared for.
Although she’d grown up in one sumptuous
Atlanta mansion after another, they’d always seemed like museum displays to
Lissa. None a real home where people actually lived and loved.
This was a place where she could easily
picture Cass as a child. A tall boy, to be sure, but one who had run down the
narrow halls, whooping and hollering as he waved his baby Stetson. Thinking of
that, she grinned.
“Lis?” Auggie said, pulling out a chair
for her. He had their laptops on the kitchen table next to where Cass had his.
“Would you like some ice tea, Dr. Pepper,
milk?” Cass hung his Stetson on a hook. “Or would you prefer something
stronger?”
Lissa stopped tapping her feet against the
floor and gave him a brief glance. A longer one would have had her grinning
like a fool or whistling a happy tune. “Nothing for me, thanks.”
“Mr. St. Claire?”
“I’m fine.” Auggie finished setting up his
computer.
Cass sank into the chair next to hers,
facing Lissa as he stretched his legs to the side, crossing them at the ankles.
A wave of his fragrance rolled over Lissa,
this time tinged with musk that made her head swim. She wondered what size
boots he wore. Crossing her legs, she lifted her big toe, gently touching the side
of his jeans.
“Ready?” Auggie asked.
Reminded of what
had brought her there, Lissa suddenly wasn’t. She lowered her foot from Cass’
jeans. “No.”
Excerpt #3:
“Neck hurt?” he asked.
He put down his drink without tasting it.
“Lie down. I’ll massage it.” He went to the bed and pulled away the down
comforter.
She regarded the white satin sheets.
“Wonder where they get linens to fit that thing.”
Cass smiled. “Beats me. I’d say the bed’s
more for contortionists than regular people.”
Lissa snickered, grateful they’d broken
the tension. “No kidding.” She padded to the bed. “Should I lie on my belly?”
“Depends where you hurt.” He eased his
hand between her hair and the robe, gently touching her neck with his
fingertips. “Here?”
Her legs went watery at the gently
pressure of his hand. “Uh-uh.”
“Here?”
Damn. Her shoulder shot up with the pain.
“On your belly,” he said.
Lissa knelt on the bed and fell forward.
“Jesus Christ,” he blurted. “Didn’t that
hurt?”
“It’s worse if I bend anything.”
“Does that mean you’re going to have
trouble getting back up?”
Lissa wasn’t certain how to answer that so
she hedged. “Why?”
“You might have to take off your robe so I
can find your neck.”
Groaning, she rolled over, undid the tie,
then rolled back onto her belly. “Can you just pull it off me?”
Cass did, his touch extra gentle, his breathing
barely controlled. “Ready?” he rasped.
For just about everything, even as desire
and fear continued to war within her. She touched the back of her neck. “Here’s
where it hurts worse.”
The mattress jiggled with Cass’ weight,
but his touch was exquisitely light as he brushed her hair to the side, then
kneaded her muscles.
A sigh spilled past her lips as he eased
away the pain, little by little. Minutes later, Lissa was finally relaxed. She
stretched her arms over her head, parted her legs widely, and moaned in
pleasure.
“Better?” he murmured.
“Much.”
“Good.” He ran his hands over her
shoulders and down her arms until he touched her fingers.
Without thinking, Lissa laced them through
his, holding him.
Neither of them moved. Lissa was pretty
damn certain they’d both stopped breathing too.
A sound of raw male need finally poured
from Cass. He lowered his mouth to her neck, his breath skipping across it, his
achingly soft lips pressed to her.
Her toes curled at the hot, wet sweep of
his tongue on her skin. She lost what little resistance she’d had, his kiss
warming her inside and out.
After easing his hands from hers, he turned
Lissa over and covered her body with his, capturing her mouth, filling her with
his tongue. When he slipped the strap past her shoulder and down her arm,
wanting tore through Lissa, crashing in waves so fierce, she pushed her fingers
through his silky hair and arched her back, giving herself to him. Her areola puckered in the room’s coolish air, the
tip hardening even more at the brush of his calloused palm, his fingers
squeezing her breast.
A rush of moisture dampened Lissa’s soft
folds. Cass’ shaft grew harder against her, his kiss fiercer. With one hand
beneath her head, he held her still so he could own her mouth. Then he lifted
the edge of her gown, easing it up until he’d exposed her legs and pussy.
Lissa’s thoughts spun out of control at
his hand sliding up the inside of her thigh to her delicate curls. He tugged at
them playfully, then sought her damp entrance, finding her clit.
Cass teased her nub, generating
indescribable sensations as he deepened their kiss. With his knees, he pushed
her legs wider. Her body responded wantonly, wanting more even as a wish
repeated itself in her heart like a well-loved melody.
If
only he loved her.
He didn’t. This was a deal born of
desperate financial need for him and a soul-deep longing within her—the chance
to create something beautiful in a world that had always seemed so heartless
and cold.
He suckled her neck.
“Cass.”
Breathing hard, he finally lifted his
head, his gaze unfocused, thick with lust.
The same that Lissa felt but had to fight,
protecting her heart. “No.”
He blinked as if coming out of a trance,
then pulled his hand from between her thighs, his fingers slick with her
moisture, proof of her desire. He couldn’t have looked more confused.
He stared. “Lissa, I’m sorry. I didn’t
mean to do anything. I thought…” Not finishing, he rolled off her and left the
bed. He was at the wet bar, downing a shot of whiskey when she moved past.
“Whoa.” He cuffed her wrist and frowned at
the pillow wedged under her arm. “What do you think you’re doing?”
“Sleeping in the tub. You didn’t do
anything wrong,” she added quickly. “You thought exactly what you should have.
This isn’t fair to you.”
Cass shook his head. More of his dark
locks spilled loose, grazing his eyebrows, making her weak with wanting.
“You’re not spending the night in the tub.”
“I have to. You won’t fit in it.”
He laughed. “You’re right, I won’t.”
Sobering quickly, he took a deep breath and spoke on a sigh, “We have a year of
this to face, so we sure as hell better start getting used to it tonight. We’ll
both use the bed.” He grabbed the bottle of vodka and slapped it into her hand.
“If I try anything in my sleep, just hit me over the head with that.”
She threw it to the side. “I’m sorry for
what happened. Not because it happened but because of the circumstances
surrounding it. You deserve better.”
He made a face. “And you don’t?”
“I can handle it.”
He glared. “I can’t?”
“That’s not what I meant. I—”
“It’s okay.” Breathing hard, he cradled
the side of her face in his hand. “Just go to bed. I’ll be there directly.”
She glanced at the wet bar.
“Don’t worry. I’m not going to get drunk.”
“I know. I was thinking about doing that
myself.”
He laughed. “God, woman, you’re a
handful.”
Her cheeks warmed at his teasing. She
murmured, “You’re an honorable man, Cass.”
He dropped his hand. “Go to bed, please.”
Lissa didn’t move. “Which side of the
mattress do you prefer?”
“The middle?”
She laughed. “I’ll take the right if
that’s okay.”
“Fine. Whatever you want.”
“No, I want you to be comfortable too. If
you prefer something else, let me know. Do you have a double bed on the ranch?
Do you sleep in the middle of it?”
He rubbed the back of his neck, his biceps
bulging with that small move, the dark hair in his pit peeking out, making
Lissa nuts.
She swallowed. “Come on, tell me. How do
you usually sleep?”
“In the nude.”
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