Solstice Burn (10 page)

“You really expect me to believe that?”

“Yes, I do.”

“This is crazy.” Penny attempted to curb her anger, but the conversation played in her mind. “You said you were going to be with her…at home. I heard you.”

“Yes. My home, as in California. I don’t live with her. I haven’t lived with her for a long time.”

“But you didn’t tell her what you were doing. You didn’t even mention me. It was obvious she was asking you.”

“Jesus, Penny. I was just coming to terms with my feelings about you. Do you really think I was going to tell her how I felt? Did you expect me to tell her that meeting you had been the most earth shattering experience of my life, and I was trying to figure how the hell to ask you to move out here?” Chase took a deep breath and pinned her eyes with his. “I already told you that I don’t even think I ever loved her. I meant that. I meant every word I said to you on vacation. You have to believe me. I’m not letting you go again.”

Penny struggled to process what he was telling her. She pressed the heel of her hand into her forehead, overwhelmed with the knowledge that she could have been wrong about what she’d heard. Her fragile heart ached for him as she cautiously considered the facts. Why would he bring her all the way to California, to stage this elaborate proposal, if he wasn’t telling the truth? It was too much to comprehend how things could have gone so far.

“Why didn’t you call me?”

“I just knew that you’d need more than words. And honestly, when I got back, I thought maybe I needed time to figure out what I really wanted. The fact that you’d think I’d do that to you. That I’d sleep with you, lie to you. You didn’t even stick around to give me a chance. I was angry.”

“I’m sorry… that day…you said you were going to her.” Penny tried to back away but he took her hand in his. Her bottom edged against the desk.

“Yes, I did. She needed me to look at her dive equipment. Our group here, we do all kinds of things together. Evan and Garrett, they lead up our sky jumps. I do scuba. And they trust me to look at their gear.”

“They can’t get someone else?”

“Yes, they can. That’s not the point. The point is that if I’m here, I’ll do it. But there’s nothing between Raine and me anymore…it’s over.”

Penny gasped as Chase surrounded her, straddling her legs and placing his palms flat onto the desk. His lips brushed her cheek, his warm breath on her ear. Her skin pricked in awareness as the heat of his muscular body emanated onto hers.

“I’m sorry…it’s just when I heard you, it sounded like you were still with her. I shouldn’t have left, but I just couldn’t stay to argue about it. I’ve been hurt before,” she managed. Guilt flooded her chest as she realized she’d misjudged him. “Oh God, I should have known you’d never do that to me.”

“You should have but you know what, mermaid?”

“I’m sorry.” Penny shivered as his strong hand glided up her back, into her hair. She surrendered, allowing him to tilt her head to meet his gaze. Her neck exposed, she yearned for his lips on her skin.

“I forgive you,” he breathed.

“I’m sorry,” she repeated.

“These past two weeks have taught me a very hard lesson.” He pressed his lips to the delicate skin behind her ear. “I need you here with me…”

“In California?”

“Yes. In California. In my life. In my home.”

“Chase…” Trembling, she placed her palm on his chest.

“I’ve already arranged for you to take on Emerson as a client, so you can continue with your firm. I want you here. Travel with me. Be with me.”

“I…” Penny’s heart tightened with love for her handsome rescuer as her dream lingered within reach. Everything she had built in New York had been an empty shell of misguided priorities, but he’d made it possible for her to continue working, so they could be together. What he didn’t realize was that she would have moved half way around the world to be with him, job or not.

“Say yes,” he whispered.

“Yes, Chase, yes, yes.” As the confession fell from her lips, Chase kissed her.

Breathless, Penny slid her arms up his back, desperate to touch him. He reached for her knees, spreading her legs apart. As his erection brushed her panties, arousal tore through her. She moaned in protest as his lips tore from hers, trailing down to her collarbone.

“I love you, Penny Travis.”

“I love you, too.”

“God, I missed you. Never run from me again,” he growled.

“Never,” she promised.

His fingers slid up her thighs, hooking on her panties. As he tugged them down, she kicked them off, grunting as he speared his fingers into her pussy.

“Missed me?” he asked with a sexy smile.

“Just a little,” Penny laughed. She slid her hand down into his pants, and fisted his steel hard cock. “Missed me?”

“Fuck yeah, and I’m about to show you how much.”

Penny giggled as he swept his arm across the desk, sending a stapler and pens flying across the room. As he turned her toward the window, she caught sight of the ocean beckoning in the distance. The cool air conditioning skimmed across her wet opening as he hiked up her skirt and bent her over. Her palms flattened against the smooth surface, his knees spreading her wide open. As he donned protection, her heart sped in anticipation. A slap to her bottom caused her to squeal and her breath quickened, his head pressing into her entrance.

“Ah,” she cried, as he sheathed himself to the hilt.

“You see that view, darlin’?” He pulled out and slammed back into her.

“Ah, yes.” She laughed. “Is this a real estate tour?” Her flippant remark was rewarded with a sharp spank on her other cheek and her pussy contracted around his shaft.

“That is what we are going to wake up seeing for the rest of our lives. You and me.”

“Please don’t stop,” she begged as he increased the pace of his thrusts.

She clawed at the edge of the desk, bracing herself. It had been so long, missing him, loving him. He plunged inside Penny, his swollen flesh stroking her channel. She exhaled as he reached over her, raking his fingers through her hair and bringing his lips to hers. As his other hand found her clit, she moaned in response. His touch set her nerves on fire, her climax building. Penny screamed his name into their kiss, their simultaneous release exploding like fireworks.

“I love you,” she heard him tell her over and over.

As the waves of ecstasy subsided, he scooped her into his arms. She kissed his chest as he carried her to a small loveseat that sat across the room. They fell onto it, and Penny smiled, her heart blooming with happiness.

Within his embrace, she quietly celebrated their reconciliation. A simple vacation affair had transformed into a burning love that wouldn’t be denied. She didn’t know for certain what their future held, but she knew whatever adventures they forged, they’d explore them together.

Kym Grosso is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the award-winning paranormal romance series,
The Immortals of New Orleans
. She also has a new erotic romantic suspense series,
Club Altura Romance
. In addition to romance novels, Kym has written and published several articles about autism, and is passionate about autism advocacy. She is also a contributing essay author in the book,
Chicken Soup for the Soul: Raising Kids on the Spectrum
.

Kym enjoys reading, tennis, zumba, traveling and spending time with her husband and children. New Orleans, with its rich culture, history and unique cuisine, is one of her favorite places to visit. She loves traveling just about anywhere that has a beach or snow-covered mountains. On any given night, when not writing her own books, Kym can be found reading her Kindle, which is filled with hundreds of romances.