Passion in the Heart

This is a work of fiction. All characters, places and events are from the author’s imagination and should not be confused with fact. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, events or places is purely coincidental.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any material form, whether by printing, photocopying, scanning or otherwise without the written permission of the publisher, Totally Bound Publishing.

Applications should be addressed in the first instance, in writing, to Totally Bound Publishing. Unauthorised or restricted acts in relation to this publication may result in civil proceedings and/or criminal prosecution.

The author and illustrator have asserted their respective rights under the Copyright Designs and Patents Acts 1988 (as amended) to be identified as the author of this book and illustrator of the artwork.

Published in 2014 by Totally Bound Publishing,
Newland House, The Point, Weaver Road, Lincoln, LN6 3QN

Warning:

This book contains sexually explicit content which is only suitable for mature readers. This story has a
heat rating
of
Totally Sizzling
and a
Sexometer
of
3.

Diary of a Free Woman

PASSION IN THE HEART

Diane Thorne

Book seven in the Diary of a Free Woman series.

From a unique encounter to a future filled with love.

Home from her European vacation, Gwen seeks to find a relationship with one of the men she’d met during her trip. To her surprise, one lover responds. He stuns her more when he shows up the next day at her house for a visit. She can’t resist the sexy, dark-haired and blue-eyed hunk, nor can he resist her. Sparks light up quickly as he shows her how much he’s missed her.

As the week progresses, Gwen’s fondness for him increases. He’s caring, kind, honorable and very successful. She enjoys his playful nature, heated touch and seductive kisses. He brings her happiness unlike any other lover. The man has special feelings for Gwen, something that is clear to her co-workers. She starts to suspect he wants more than a sexual relationship until she arrives home one night and finds him gone. When he returns and confesses the truth, she’s speechless. He provides her with a plan to keep them close together and she will have to decide if she is ready to give up her independence, job and home to spend every night in his loving embrace.

Trademarks Acknowledgement

The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of the following wordmark mentioned in this work of fiction:

Dr Seuss: Random House LLC

Chapter One

“Be careful going home,” Gwenevere said before she kissed her youngest daughter, Kristy, on the cheek.

Kristy hugged her. “I’m glad you’re home, Mom.”

“Thank you. Call me later sometime.”

“I will.” Kristy walked away smiling.

Gwen stood in the doorway, dressed in jeans and a T-shirt while she watched her daughter leave. The visit with Krystal and Kristy had been most enjoyable. They’d chatted and laughed for a few hours before Krystal, her oldest, had had to leave. Kristy had stayed and brought Gwen up to speed on her college classes and new part-time job. From the conversation Gwen had had with both girls, they were doing well on their own. Gwen couldn’t have been prouder.

As Kristy drove away, Gwen stepped into her house. She secured the locks then headed for the kitchen. Silence filled her three-bedroom home. When the girls had been younger, they’d always been making noise, or a television or radio had been playing. Since they’d both moved out, the house seemed empty. Quiet. Much too big for one person. Although she held many memories within the walls of the suburban residence, she considered that the time had come to downsize.

She entered the kitchen and picked up her cell phone from the table. Staring at the screen, she slid her finger over it to get to her inbox. She’d sent a few email messages yesterday to the men she’d met during her vacation. They were short thank you notes to let them know she’d returned home and would like to keep in touch with them if they were interested. She hoped one would respond and would take kindly to the idea of a long-distance relationship. Twenty-four hours had passed and not a single response. She continued to check for one anyway.

She tapped the icon on the phone. A number indicated she’d received mail. Her heart jumped, hoping the message was from one of her acquaintances in Europe. She touched the screen and opened the communication. She dropped her jaw when she noticed the name of the sender.

Dearest Gwen,

I’m glad to hear you had a good trip and have returned home safely. I enjoyed our time together on the plane and in London. Rest assured, you are never far from my thoughts. You are an incredible, passionate woman. Let’s stay in touch. Literally.

Warmest regards,

Phillip

Gwen smiled as she reread his message. Her pulse quickened. She was still in his thoughts.
Score one hot, sexy billionaire for Gwen!
Biting her bottom lip, she hit the reply button.

Phillip,

Thank you for the kind compliment. I’d love to keep in touch. And if you’re ever in the Midwest, please say hello so I can touch.

Warmest kisses,

Gwen

She set the device on the table then headed to the sink. The joy flowing through her kept the happy expression on her face. Phillip had responded and his message held the potential of a continuous relationship. She liked the idea and she had a deep fondness for the man. He’d been kind and generous to her in London. He’d been hot and naughty with her in bed too. Their time together had been wonderful, steamy and orgasmic. She took a deep breath. Oh, she’d love to know him more. And indulge in more hours of incredible sex with him.

She turned on the taps, waited for the hot water, then filled the sink and added soap. Bubbles spread as she placed the utensils and cups in the fluid. As quick as she could, she scrubbed the dishes. When she placed the last glass on the drain board, she heard the phone ring. Hands wet and soapy, she twisted to look at her cell on the table. The screen was illuminated. She grabbed the towel on the counter then rushed to answer the call.

“Hello,” she said without wasting a second to check who the caller was.

“Gwen, it’s Melanie. How are you sweetie?”

“Hey. How are you?” Gwen returned to the sink to pull the plug.

“I’m good. I couldn’t wait until tomorrow to talk to you. I missed you over the last five weeks.”

“Aw, thank you. I missed you too.” And Gwen meant it. She’d had no one to share her adventures with while she’d been traveling. Now that she was home, Gwen couldn’t wait to tell one of her best friends about the men she’d met.

“But I have to admit, I’m not looking forward to work in the morning.”

Melanie chuckled. “I don’t blame you. Did you have a good vacation?”

Gwen set the towel on the counter. As she held the phone with one hand, she used her other to release the water in the sink. “I had a wonderful time. It was incredible.”

“Do tell.”

Gwen wiped her hand on the towel. “Well the sights were spectacular. Paris at night was incredible. The lights were so pretty.”

“Oh, I bet.”

Gwen flipped the light switch off on her way out of the kitchen. “And the Opera in Vienna was equally impressive.” She headed for the stairs.

“Did you meet many people? Any men?”

“I met a few,” Gwen said as she climbed the steps.

“A few?”

“Yeah, I met a nice guy on the plane to London and spent some time with him there. Then I met a French actor in Paris. He was fun to explore the city with.”

“Are you serious? Please tell me you got laid.”

Gwen laughed as she reached the top of the staircase. “I wasn’t done telling you about the others I’d met.”

Melanie gasped. “There’s more?”

“Yes.” Gwen strode into her bedroom and sat in the chair next to her closet. Her room was clean and organized since she’d spent most of Saturday doing laundry and tidying up from her return. The queen-sized bed had fresh maroon-colored sheets. A television and dresser facing the bed were now free from dust. Crisp night air blew inside from the open window and the deep red curtains parted in the center.

“Did you have sex with any of them?” Melanie asked.

“I did, and each man was incredibly hot and…intense.”

“Oh, honey. I am so, so happy for you. That is amazing. You needed to a good fucking.”

Laughter flew out of Gwen. “Gee, thanks friend.”

“Well, you did. It had been a while.”

“Yeah, don’t remind me. I hope I don’t go into a slump again, but the men around here really aren’t worth jumping into bed with.”

“Tell me about it. All they do is lounge on the sofa watching sports and guzzling beer. They’re good for fucks every now and then, but they get annoying. That’s why I could never settle down. They get on my nerves with their laziness and lack of ambition.”

Gwen couldn’t agree more with her friend. She’d married such a fellow and after a few years of doing all the work at home and at a job while taking care of kids, she’d decided she would be better off without a husband. She made twice as much as he did so there had been no benefit to staying married. To top it off, the love they’d had had died soon after their second child had been born. She could have only imagined how miserable she would have been if she were still married.

“Well, the men I met were nothing like the ones here,” Gwen said.

“You said hot and intense. Care to elaborate on that?”

“Let’s have lunch tomorrow outside the office and I’ll give you some details.”

“Now that sounds like a plan. Book me in your schedule.”

“You’re booked. Now tell me about work. Have I missed anything?”

Melanie sighed heavily over the phone. “Not really. Oh, they filled one of the attorney positions. Travis Gunderson is now on your team. He’s kind of cute. Thirties. Dark hair. Hazel eyes. I think he’s married. Looks like he works out at a gym. He has broad shoulders and looks real good with a tie on. Carol has a crush on him.”

“He sounds decent. Is he nice? Friendly?”

“He’s friendly but a bit quiet.”

“Maybe he doesn’t say much because he’s new.”

“I don’t know. Upper management hired him four weeks ago. Usually new hires are more talkative by now.”

“You know what they say about the quiet ones.” Gwen rose and opened her closet door.

“Maybe he’s kinky. Who knows? You can find out and share.”