5 Nights (Sinful Delights Romance - Boxed Set) (36 page)
Read 5 Nights (Sinful Delights Romance - Boxed Set) Online
Authors: Michelle Hughes
The sound of laughter and clapping filled their ears as his lips found hers. They ignored the crowd. For that brief moment, it was just the two of them. He might be an alpha male, but his control vanished at the thought of knowing she was truly his now forever. "I'll never let you go, Jessie girl," he whispered.
"I would find you if you did," she said, laughing as they stood up together. She knew this moment in time would be engraved in her mind when she was telling their grandchildren about how he proposed.
The celebration of their engagement went on for hours. By the time the band had finally called it a night, both of them were looking forward to a little alone time. When Carolyn finally told the group she needed to call it a night, Chase and Jessie could only smile at each other, knowing finally they could leave without hurting anyone's feelings.
Jessie hugged Carolyn as they made their way to the front door. "Thank you for everything, Carolyn. This has been the most magical night of my life." That didn't even begin to express how appreciative she was for all this woman had done for her.
Hugging her back, Carolyn smiled in happiness. "I guess you never really know what goes on behind the scenes at a romance book club." She laughed deeply. "I know you’ll have a wonderful life together, Jessie." She hugged Chase as he appeared with their jackets. "Take care of her, Chase." Winking, she watched them walk out the door.
20 Epilogue
Sitting down at her computer, Jessie smiled at the finished rough draft manuscript filling the screen. Fifteen years ago she married the most wonderful man, and her life had been so full of great memories. Eventually she decided to write them all down.
Chase had given his blessing on the project, and even agreed to personally help her research if there were things she'd forgotten. Some interesting nights came from their so-called research. Glancing over at the still handsome man across the room in bed, she smiled lovingly.
She'd taken over Amanda's fathers company when he passed away three years ago, so the writing was just a part-time hobby. Amanda was enjoying her inheritance and had recently called from Paris telling her how much she enjoyed travelling now that she wasn't tied to a company she never wanted.
Chase had signed over Sensation's fully to Carolyn, and it was flourishing well under her ownership. His
own business was doing even better than he'd considered possible, so they both had full lives outside of their marriage.
Their twins were almost teenagers now, and even though it was hard working away from home, they were doing well with the arrangement. Life had turned out just the way she'd always dreamed.
Saving the document to her hard drive, she couldn't wait to hear what the publisher thought. Romance Book Club, it seemed a fitting title to a romance that encompassed everything she was. Walking back to the bed, she slid in quietly beside Chase.
Scarlett’s
Temptation
Forbidden Delights
Michelle Hughes
Tears of Crimson Publishing
Copyright © 2013 by Michelle Hughes
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, write to the publisher, addressed “Attention: Permissions Coordinator,” at the address below.
Tears of Crimson Publishing
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Publisher’s Note: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are a product of the author’s imagination. Locales and public names are sometimes used for atmospheric purposes. Any resemblance to actual people, living or dead, or to businesses, companies, events, institutions, or locales is completely coincidental.
Tears of Crimson Publishing ©2013
Scarlett’s Temptation/Michelle Hughes. -- 1st ed.
Chapters of Scarlett
“One must do violence to the object of one's desire; when it surrenders, the pleasure is greater.”
―
Marquis de Sade
Chapter One
Secrets
"This should be one of the happiest days of my life," Scarlett stomped her foot in agitation while mumbling under her breath. Four years of working her ass off to get this degree and she felt just as empty as she had when she stepped foot on the grounds of this institution of hiring learning. Stepping out on the green tonight, she would have a Bachelor's of Science Degree in Business. Not bad for a girl from nowhere Mississippi raised in a trailer park, so why the hell couldn't she be happy? The thought moved through her mind like a wave of depression she just wanted to wash over and get through.
Analyzing the situation, which was something she did on a regular basis, nothing made sense. If she was being honest with herself all she had focused on these last four years was the degree. Relationships were stupid traps for women that made them do dim-witted things, so she doubted that was the issue here. She'd decided after one horrible relationship in high school, and watching her parents turn into raving lunatics when their marriage started to deteriorate, that having a partner wasn't worthy of her time. Plus who the hell wanted to live out some existence where you're only desire was to make some man happy while he drained your body and emotions dry then walked out on you when you weren't young and sexy anymore?
Maybe it was the future, putting on a bare minimum of makeup she continued to dwell on her discontent, now that she finally had the degree life was uncertain. Jobs were really hard to come by these days, even with a college education. Over the next few months she would be lining up interviews, she hoped, but there was no guarantee she'd find her dream job. What really was her dream job? All she knew is that living in poverty was not her idea of an ideal life. She left Mississippi and moved out to Chicago for just that reason.
Thinking about the move here brought her mother's situation back to the front of her thoughts again. She could have done anything with her life, one night she'd found her mother's scrap book and there were pictures of her singing on a large stage in Nashville. She was so beautiful and full of life in those pictures, not like the worn out woman she left crying as she pulled her old pickup truck, the one thing her dad had gifted to her that she still owned, all those years ago on her way to college.
She refused to talk about her dreams and life on stage and Scarlett had discovered that not bringing it up was always the better idea. That sad look of desire on her face broke her heart and that woman deserved so much more than her useless excuse for a father had ever given her. Her mother hadn't been the same since her dad walked out on her with some twenty-something year old slut, and she couldn't stand to watch her mom torture herself any longer over what she'd done wrong. The entire summer after her high school graduation, she'd listened to her mom cry herself to sleep and it had become unbearable to live with.
Her dad, was just a piece of shit, in her opinion, and she hadn't spoken to him since he walked out. Having a stepmother the same age as she was had little bearing on her decision to ignore him. He was the epitome of everything she despised about men, and just another reason why she refused to allow herself to be trapped that way. So here she was a twenty-four year old virgin, completely fucked up and she still blamed it on him.
Pulling her long dark hair into a sensible flip, she stepped back and took a deep breath. Trying to get her emotions under control she knew Janie, her best friend since she moved to Chicago, would be here any minute and they would walk down the aisle together. Grinning at how screwed up that sounded even in her own mind, she thought that this was as close to a wedding march as she'd ever take.
Janie, was everything Scarlett wasn't. Outgoing, sexy, and dated anything with two legs and a dick. It didn't hamper their friendship in the least though. She admired Janie because she went after what she wanted and that included men. While Scarlett didn't get her craving for the species, she couldn't dislike her for it. Janie used men for what they were worth and moved on to the next hunk of the day. It was ironically funny to her that she didn't think less of Janie for how she treated men. If she had to rationalize it, the fact that Janie never made promises to these men and they still fawned over her like dogs in heat was probably the reason she saw nothing wrong in what she did.
Scarlett, I hope your ass is dressed girl, I'd hate to be late for our own graduation," Janie walked into her friend’s dorm room without knocking.
"In the bathroom," Scarlett shouted back putting on a coral colored lip gloss before joining her in the main room. As soon as her eyes found Janie she laughed. "Sorry babe but that gown does nothing for you."
"Smart ass," she quipped back and lifted the hem to her waist, "it's what underneath that really counts. Janie laughed at her friend’s expression since she was wearing nothing underneath.
"Holy hell Janie," blushing furiously, she shook her head. Very little bothered her, but Janie was one of the few people that had the ability to shock her.
"Yeah I am hell on wheels," giggling she dropped the hem and put her hands on her small waist. "Get your ass in gear girl I want to get through this crap because I've got one hell of a party lined up when we're done."
Scarlett groaned out loud at her words. "Janie, you know I don't mind being your designated driver but at least tell me you won't be getting us kicked out of another bar tonight. Her friend had a temper and the last time they'd ventured out on the town a guy had gotten a little too friendly and she threw him across a table.
"This isn't that kind of party girlfriend," waggling her eyebrows she waved her hands in a frenzy. "Now get dressed so we can go!"
Scarlett decided not to ask. She'd been the non-drinking friend in this game since they'd met and there was no telling where Janie would land them on any given weekend. Over the years she had become Janie's substitute bodyguard when she had drank too much and it made her feel good that she had someone to look after.
She walked back into her bedroom and slid the graduation gown over her boring brown dress and grabbed her cap off the dresser. They made it to the ceremony just as it was about to begin and though she was excited to be receiving her degree, it was one of the most boring two hours of her life. When it was over she actually breathed a sigh of relief.
"I thought those people would never shut up," Janie laughed as she slid into her little two seat convertible.
"I'm with you there, but hey we finished!," Scarlett stared down at the leather case that held her degree before sliding into the passenger seat and putting on her seatbelt.
"Now the real fun can begin Scarlett, I hope you enjoy yourself tonight," she revved up the engine and smiled at the sound.
"This is one hell of a car," Scarlett didn't begrudge her friend the exotic ride, but she wondered what it felt like to have something this expensive belong to you.
"Yeah, another one of daddy's pay offs for always being busy," Janie sneered but quickly pulled herself out of the funk. It was one of the things that drew them together, she thought, both of them had worthless fathers. Her father just happened to try and buy her off with his wealth.
"At least he's rich," Scarlett said with a sigh as they drove off.
"Money doesn't buy happiness Scarlett, you remember that because people that tell you otherwise are just full of shit."
Deciding to change the subject because they'd argued over it so many times in the past, she turned to another topic. "So where is this exclusive party taking place tonight?" In the last four years she had seen every bar in Chicago and most of the town’s elite homes all thanks to Janie.
"That's my secret until we get there," Janie laughed softly, "trust me this will be better than any of my surprises so far.
She bit back a moan at her friend's answer. The last time she'd heard that line they ended up on some rich guy’s boat travelling to Jamaica for the weekend. The scenery had been great, but watching Janie wrapped around some guy while she tagged along really wasn't much fun.
Keeping her mouth shut, she watched the backdrop go by until they drove into Highland Park. Whomever Janie's friends were, they definitely had money, she thought with a shrug of her shoulders. Scarlett gasped as they pulled up the cobblestoned driveway in front of a white washed brick mansion that had her eyes widening. "I want whoever owns this houses job."
"Rhett's definitely a different breed," Janie giggled at some insider joke as she opened up the door.
"Rhett Butler?" Scarlett laughed, thinking the house looked more modern than the beautiful mansion in her favorite movie, but it definitely was something to look at.
"I'll let you call him that," Janie gave a little wink, "but his last name is Hammond, he's a friend of my new, um, friend."
By friend, Scarlett knew she meant lover. When a tall handsome man walked out the front door and took Janie's keys, she couldn't help but whistle. "Color me impressed, a valet and everything."
Janie shook her head and handed over the keys before walking over and linking her arm in Scarlett's. "Trust me hon, I don't think you'd want to be the type of girl to earn money from Rhett, then again..." she trailed off.
"I would prefer to earn my own money, thank you very much," sticking her nose up in the air she allowed Janie to guide her up to the front steps of the mansion.
"Oh don't get huffy Scarlett," she rang the doorbell, "we're here to have fun and I was only joking." The last thing she wanted before the big reveal was Scarlett being upset with her. She was already worried enough about how she was going to react.
Turning, she childishly stuck her tongue out, "I'm not getting huffy, and just remember who made higher scores on their finals, missy."
Their conversation was cut off when a butler in a tuxedo opened the door. Scarlett's eyes widened at the man, thinking that whoever owned this house had more money than he knew what to do with.
"Good evening ladies, please follow me,” the man's expression was stern as he turned and walked across the polished marble tile. Scarlett and Janie grinned and followed him trying not to burst out laughing at how formal the man was. He stopped in front of a huge door that he opened and stepped back from for them to enter.
The room was huge and boasted of wooden floors polished to perfection. A huge table was adorned with a white table cloth and every food imaginable. Flowers with fragrant blooms were nestled among the huge sterling silver platters. Bottles of champagne were also resting on the end with crystal goblets.
"This is definitely some set up," Scarlett whispered wondering why they were the only two people in here. It was pretty apparent that this feast was set up for dozens of people.
"I guess Rhett really goes out of his way to accommodate his guests," Janie forced a grin. "Where is that date of mine?" She really needed him standing beside her as she introduced Scarlett to her secrets.
As if on cue, a gorgeous blonde appeared. "Well hello gorgeous, you are late." He was definitely handsome, Scarlett surmised smiling slightly. He pulled Janie into his arms and off the floor, twirling Janie around before setting her down and turning to look at her.
"And this must be the elusive Scarlett," he held out his hand and smiled and she couldn't help but smile back warmly.
"Scarlett this big hunk is David, David my best friend Scarlett," wrapping her hand in his she looked up at him adoringly.
Scarlett was stunned at the look in her friend's eyes, she'd never seen Janie be impressed with any man but it was obvious she thought a lot of this one. "It's nice to meet you David."
"And you Scarlett, I feel like I know you personally. Janie speaks about you all the time." He shook her hand and laughed as if shaking a woman's hand wasn't normal for him.
She flushed deeply wondering what Janie could have said to him about her, she wasn't that interesting as far as she was concerned. "Thanks, I think," she turned her eyes to her friend raising an eyebrow.
"Everyone is waiting in the basement, but if you'd like to eat first I'll stay with you," David smiled at Janie as if she were the most important person in the world.
Janie flushed, "Um, Scarlett would you mind if we grabbed something to eat after I introduce you." This was a coming out party so to speak for Janie, no one knew about her secret life, not even her best friend. She was more than a little nervous about how Scarlett was going to accept this.
Seeing Janie flush was a first and she was dumbfounded. "I'm really not hungry." She had no idea what was going on here, but something was definitely out of the ordinary.
"Listen, I'm about to share a part of my life with you that I've been hiding for a long time hon.” Biting her lip she looked at Scarlett feeling a little uncomfortable. "If you can't handle this, then I will drive you home, but I hope it doesn't change our friendship."
Scarlett could see the desperation in her friend's eyes and felt a moments panic. What could be so bad that she wouldn't want to be friends, she wondered. "Janie, I love you, but I have to be honest here you're scaring the shit out of me."
"Janie, I think you're making things worse than they need to be babe, just take her downstairs, if she freaks out, we'll take her home." David winked at Scarlett before turning and holding out his hand to his date. Janie took his hand and David smiled. "Just stay close behind us until we introduce you Scarlett," with those words he led Janie off and she followed behind them, her stomach tying up in knots for reasons she couldn't understand.