Obsession (The Plus One Chronicles) (24 page)
Read Obsession (The Plus One Chronicles) Online
Authors: Jennifer Lyon
His eyes took on a hard edge. “That comes under safety expenses, and you don’t get a say in it. That was our agreement. That condo is safe for you.”
“But it’s in my name.” She’d protested that one long and hard, and lost.
He shrugged. “Clerical error. Shit happens.”
“Sloane.”
“Stop whining. I didn’t do anything to help with Sugar Dancer. You did that all on your own.”
Did he think that? Kat leaned her head back on his arm, looking up into his eyes. “You’re wrong. I didn’t do that on my own.”
“Come again? I know I didn’t help you.”
Kat pulled his hand off her thigh and up to her heart. “You’ve been there emotionally every step of the way.” He’d helped her through a panic attack right before taping the first baking show. Sloane had held her hand through buying and remodeling the bakery, hiring and training staff… He was her rock, her safe place. “That means more to me than anything your billions can buy.”
“It works both ways, Kitten.”
Kat got a lump in her throat thinking about Sloane’s decision to turn over a lot of SLAM to John and Liza so he could focus on building The Drake Vaughn Center for Boys. He was so passionate about the Fighters to Mentors program and this center that would be part of it. As the limo slid to a stop outside the restaurant, she squeezed his hand. “Drake’s legacy. You’re making it happen.” She was so proud of him.
“We are.”
The door to the limo opened, and Levi held his hand out. “Kat, watch your step.”
She smiled at the man in his early twenties, another of Sloane’s kids who now ran a limo service. She let him help her out and steady her as she tested her right leg. “Thanks, Levi.”
“Anytime.”
Once inside the restaurant, Kat craned her head to look at the Bay Bridge.
With his hand on her back, Sloane leaned close and said, “Better view from upstairs. Come on.” He waved off the waiter. “I know the way.”
After he led her to the top floor, Kat looked at all the tables draped in snowy tablecloths and beautiful cutlery but no guests. The whole place was deserted. “Uh, is this section closed?”
He shrugged out of his suit coat. “It’s ours for the night. We’re going out on the terrace, put this on.” He held it out for her.
Kat slipped into it, his body heat and rich scent instantly surrounding her. It hung from her arms, so Sloane rolled the sleeves back. Her pulse spiked and danced. “What did you do?”
The amber chips in his light brown eyes gleamed. “Told you, baby. I’m done sharing you today.” He led her out the doors into the cool San Francisco night.
“You rented the entire top level of the restaurant?”
“Yes.” They stopped at the railing. “Stop staring at me and look at the bridge. I brought you here for this magnificent view.”
Kat turned to get the full impact of the Bay Bridge arcing across the night sky lit up by thousands of lights. Stunning. It was so beautiful she couldn’t quite breathe. The majestic bridge appeared close enough to reach out and touch it.
“Like it?”
“It’s gorgeous. I mean, I’ve seen it before, but this view…it’s breathtaking.”
He wrapped his arm around her, pulling her into his body. The wind caught her hair and skirt, whipping them around. She didn’t care about the wind or chill in the air. She’d stand here forever to take in this view with the man she loved.
“A perfect end to an awesome day. Thank you.” She sighed and looked up. “When I remember today, this will be my favorite part.”
He brushed his mouth over hers. “Do you know what my favorite part was?”
Well it had been a little hard to miss since he’d lifted her off her feet, hugging her as camera flashes went off. “Sara’s German Chocolate Cake.” She’d unveiled her Sugar Dancer SF house specialty earlier today at the open house.
Sloane’s face softened. “You planned this when you asked me what her favorite cake was.”
She’d poured her heart into creating a cake good enough for Sara’s memory. Seeing Sloane’s reaction had been better than winning the baking show contests. “It took awhile to get it just right.”
“She would have loved the cake and having something named after her.” Sloane fingered the strands of lavender in her hair. “Are you going to name something after me?”
“I’ve tried, but I can’t come up with a dessert special enough to name after you. It has to be perfect.” She gripped the railing tighter, studying the bridge. “Even replicating this bridge wouldn’t capture the power of you.”
He smiled at her, taking her hand. “There’s one thing that I would like very much to have my name.”
His warm fingers wrapped around hers. “Really?” Her lemon cupcakes?
“You.”
She blanked. “What?”
Sloane held out his other hand, a velvet box resting in the center of his palm. “Marry me, Kat. Make my name our name. That would make me happy.” He removed the ring, taking her hand and sliding it on her finger. “You told me that all your grandmother wanted for you was to feel the music, remember?”
Her heart pounded. “I remember.” Was this really happening?
“That’s how I feel having you in my life. I feel the music, Kitten, every day with you. Will you marry me?”
The wind blew across them, a scent of the sea and love. “Yes. I love you so much. But you don’t have to get me a ring.” She never wore them, hadn’t since her last disastrous engagement.
Sloane’s eyes radiated love, desire, tenderness and a glint of amusement. “Sweetheart, look at the ring.”
Kat trusted him, trusted that he knew her. She let him lift her hand. The lights from the Bay Bridge sparkled over the two slim platinum bands that twined together like dancers. Tiny channel-set diamonds twinkled, creating a movement effect. Simple and elegant, and she loved it almost as much as she loved him. “It’s beautiful and sensual.”
“My jeweler designed it after I showed him snapshots of the pictures in Sugar Dancer. Your ring is embarrassingly inexpensive, I’m afraid. Even having it custom designed for you. My jeweler really thought you were going to throw it back in my face.”
Kat couldn’t stop staring at it. Every time she turned her hand, the tiny little diamond chips created that movement effect. “Like dancers in love.” How did he do this? Kat wanted to look at her ring forever.
Sloane lifted her chin. “I wanted to give you a ring that you’d love. But I don’t care if you wear the ring or not. Especially at work where any ring will get in your way. All I want is you to be my wife and lover for the rest of our lives.”
“Can I still be your plus-one too?”
He wrapped his arm around her, hoisting her to his mouth. “You’re my only one, Kat. And I’m yours. Now and forever.”
The End
Dearest Readers,
After three books, we’ve reached the end of Kat and Sloane’s story. With all my heart, I want to thank each of you for taking this journey with me. You made writing this series truly an amazing experience. I don’t want to let go, but I know it’s time. Kat and Sloane are happy.
I’m hoping to put out more sexy books under my Jennifer Lyon name next year (2014). And be sure to look for two more books in my Once A Marine Series under my Jennifer Apodaca writing name in the second half of 2014. The first book in that series is THE BABY BARGAIN and is available now.
Happy Reading!
Jen
Other Novels by Jennifer Lyon
Published by Ballantine Books, a division of Random House, Inc.
Blood Magic (A Wing Slayer Hunter Novel)
Soul Magic (A Wing Slayer Hunter Novel)
Night Magic (A Wing Slayer Hunter Novel)
Sinful Magic (A Wing Slayer Hunter Novel)
Self Published
The Proposition (Book 1 in The Plus One Chronicles)
Forbidden Magic (A Wing Slayer Hunter E-Novella)
Published by Kensington Books
THE BEAST WITHIN Anthology with Erin McCarthy and Bianca D’Arc
Writing As Jennifer Apodaca
Dating Can Be Murder (A Samantha Shaw Mystery)
Dying To Meet You (A Samantha Shaw Mystery)
Ninja Soccer Moms (A Samantha Shaw Mystery)
Batteries Required (A Samantha Shaw Mystery)
Thrilled To Death (A Samantha Shaw Mystery)
The Sex On The Beach Book Club
Extremely Hot
WICKED WOMEN WHODUNIT Anthology with Mary Janice Davidson, Amy Garvey and Nancy J. Cohen
SUN, SAND, SEX Anthology with Linda Lael Miller and Shelly Laurenstron
From Entangled Publishing
THE BABY BARGAIN
About the Author
Bestselling author Jennifer Lyon lives in Southern California where she continually plots ways to convince her husband that they should get a dog. So far, she has failed in her doggy endeavor. She consoles herself by pouring her passion into writing books. To date, Jen has published more than fifteen books, including a fun and sexy mystery series and a variety of contemporary romances under the name Jennifer Apodaca, and a dark, sizzling paranormal series as Jennifer Lyon. She’s won awards and had her books translated into multiple languages, but she still hasn’t come up with a way to persuade her husband that they need a dog.
Jen loves connecting with fans. Visit her website at
www.jenniferlyonbooks.com
or follow her at
https://www.facebook.com/jenniferlyonbooks
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