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Chapter 65
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2024-10-29 19:42:56
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All About Love Chapter 1
Part One: Runaway BillionaireThe Story BeginsPepper Thornton pulled her SUV into the private parking area at the side of Hibiscus House and, regretfully, turned off the air conditioning. She had hoped to get her errands done before the heavy heat of the day rolled in, but this was Central Florida. Heavy heat was a twenty-four hour occurrence. Still, she was glad to have those few things taken care of. Cilla Denbury, who worked part time at Hibiscus House, had offered to finish the cleanup by herself so Pepper could get out, get done, and get back before the sun broiled her on the sidewalk. Pepper was eternally grateful for the woman who had also become her friend. Cilla was recovering from a divorce that left her bank account flush but her life empty. The B&B filled a real hole for her, and she hung out answering the phone and enjoying the scenery even when she didn't have to.She had moved from New York to recover from the aftereffects of the split and decided to stay because s
All About Love Chapter 2
"That's right." The man nodded, his mouth curved wide in a smarmy grin."Well, I'm sorry to disappoint, but the paying guests finished the last of the muffins before you got here. I'm fresh out."Maggie twisted her face into a petulant frown. "Oh, no. And here I was telling Judd all about them and your extraordinary pastry skills.""That doesn't matter." He flapped a hand in the air. "I was on my way over here to see you anyway, Pepper.""Isn't that just the best coincidence?" Maggie gushed. "How lucky we ran into each other.""Yeah, right," Pepper grumbled under her breath.Looking at the man made her want to take a bath. It wasn't that he was grimy or anything. In fact, with his curly blond hair and masculine face, he might have even been appealing if not for his attitude. Too bad he had that slick appearance of a snake oil salesman. Even his expensive slacks and button-down shirt couldn't make him into anything but what he was. A hustler, full of himself. In a job his family's
All About Love Chapter 3
Why am I going to this godforsaken place in Florida again?Kyle Montgomery had been asking himself that question since he'd landed in Tampa the night before. Why couldn't his parents have decided to open a new hotel there, in a metropolitan environment? Tampa had much to recommend it as far as shopping and entertainment venues and a whole selection of tourist activities. He'd also done some research and discovered an abundance of conventions were held at the various hotels each year.Those were the kinds of things he liked to sink his teeth into. Facilities that carried the Montgomery brand, that offered everything to guests and convention planners. He knew his parents had started with a bed-and-breakfast, but holy hell. They had all moved way beyond that. Now he had to waste his time at what was probably some dreary little roadside inn when he had other things to attend to. There was plenty of work waiting for him at the corporate offices in Dallas, and he itched to get back to it.
All About Love Chapter 4
Kyle did have to say he was pleasantly surprised, when he pulled off the interstate at the exit for Bayview, to actually find a Starbucks. He loaded up with a grande Americano with two extra shots, enough caffeine to keep him awake while he made polite conversation with a dowdy innkeeper. While avoiding his true purpose for the visit.Sipping his high-octane drink, he piloted his rental car down the highway to Bayview, taking note of the tropical landscaping on both sides of the road. He didn't know what he'd expected, but it wasn't the attractive homes and buildings, all with a distinct Florida appeal. Whatever that was, he thought.When he saw the sign that said Entering Bayview, Population 3512, he cringed. What in hell could someone find to do in a town that small? He saw a convenience store a few yards past the sign and decided to pull in and feel out the situation. He noticed with idle interest the number of bikes parked outside the store and wondered if there was a special eve
All About Love Chapter 5
Pepper hugged herself tighter to the stranger and whispered in his ear, "Please play along with me. If you do, there's no charge for your stay here."There was a fifty-fifty chance he'd do it, and she held her breath, waiting for his response. What she didn't expect was for him to cup her head with one of his large hands and pull her in for another kiss. His lips were warm and firm and tasted slightly of coffee. She was so shocked when he traced the seam of her mouth with his tongue that she opened for him without even thinking.Lordy! He tasted like seven kinds of sin. As his tongue probed her mouth and danced over the surface, her nipples tightened in response and moisture flooded her panties. Her blood heated, and her pulse thundered so hard she was sure everyone could hear it.Pepper's entire body vibrated as the kiss went on and on and on. Whatever soap he'd showered with still clung to him, tantalizing her senses, something with a clean, outdoorsy scent to it that reminded her
All About Love Chapter 6
Curiosity flashed in Kyle Montgmery's eyes. "I assume you don't do that with all your guests?""Of course not." She bit her lip. "I'm sorry if I embarrassed you, but I was caught in a very bad situation.""Let me guess. Your parents are trying to meddle in your life and get you married off."Her eyes widened. "How did you guess?""My folks keep trying to do the same with me. I guess neither set has figured out yet we're old enough to handle that ourselves."She blew out a puff of air. "Of course, now I have to figure out how to explain this was all a big hoax." Then she brightened. "Or we could tell them that, after the first few minutes, we decided we really didn't like each other.""But that wouldn't take care of the problem. Especially if that jerk that was here is the boyfriend-in-waiting.""Not in my life," she snapped. "But you're right.""So, how about this? I'm really here so I can hang out for a few days and get away from the rat race. Maybe we could pretend this is re
All About Love Chapter 7
Pepper felt herself blush and bit her lip. She was good at what she did, and she knew it. Praise from others rolled off her shoulders. So, why did the same words from this man turn her into a quivering mass of jelly?What on earth have I gotten myself into? What do I say?"I'll be sure to tell that to my mama," was what she finally said."So tell me..." Kyle licked a few chocolate crumbs from his fingers, swiping with his tongue. The act was so insanely erotic that the walls of her sex quivered and her breasts ached with unfamiliar heaviness. "What's the story behind our so-called engagement?"Pepper was so hypnotized watching him lick his fingers and swallow his muffin his words barely registered."Uh, what?"His laugh was husky and rolled over her like warm molasses. "Our engagement? I mean, I should at least have some background, right?""Oh. Yes." She sighed. "It's all because I don't want my folks to sell Hibiscus House."His eyes widened. "This is all about a B&B?"Peppe
All About Love Chapter 8
Kyle leaned back in his seat in the sporty little roadster and studied the woman driving the car. The more he was with her, the more he wanted her. The last thing he'd expected when he'd been forced into what he thought of as social purgatory was to be met so enthusiastically by a woman so desirable, so hot he was instantly aroused. When she'd jumped into his arms, plastered herself against his body, and kissed him like she meant serious business, he'd responded without his brain even being engaged. He'd almost forgotten his first assumption that his parents, especially his mother, had set the whole thing up.She was, in fact, delightful. If he could forget his irritation at being set up, playing along with her little game was going to be fun, unexpected spice for a trip he'd been dreading and a business situation he wanted nothing to do with. He anticipated long days and longer nights with Pepper, until he had to leave. Despite the fact that they were supposed to be engaged, she unde
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All About Love Chapter 65
Peyton curled up in a corner of the couch, cell phone to her ear, smiling."So you like it?" she asked Grace."Like it?" The woman's voice practically shrieked in her ear. "I love it. My god, Peyton, I think this is going to be the best thing you've ever done. Maybe I should send all my authors for a month at a cabin in the Maine woods."Peyton laughed. "First of all, it was a cottage. Secondly, it was at a lake, not in the woods.""Close enough. Someday, you'll have to tell me what it was that flipped your switch up there."Maybe, maybe not. Dixon Amendola was a memory she would hug close to herself, her thoughts and feelings confined in her own private world. She knew she'd never see him again. He'd made it very plain before their very first kiss that anything permanent was not happening. The SEALs were his life, and although other men had combined the dedication with family, apparently Dix didn't feel he could take the chance.That was okay. She'd taken all her thoughts and feelings
All About Love Chapter 64
The Blackhawk had disgorged them at a flat surface on a rock outcropping at a specific point in the Hindu Kush. Dix hated these goddamn mountains. The name Kush meant death, and had probably been given to the mountains because of the dangerous passes between peaks. There was little vegetation, and the icy wind blew constantly. But the mountains provided a perfect hiding place and gathering places for al Qaeda because of the very desolation and the notches in the mountains where the terrorists built their camps and villages.Dix and his team had memorized and then memorized again the terrain where they'd be climbing and the places they'd have to conceal themselves to make the kills. Two snipers, two spotters, four backup, including the team medic and the radio guy. This time he was fucking damn sure nothing would go wrong.They climbed slowly, clinging to the rock face, paying careful attention to everything around them. Carrying all their heavy gear didn't slow them down. They had, aft
All About Love Chapter 63
"You're good to go, Dix." His CO looked up from the medical report he was reading. "I have to say I wasn't completely convinced you could do it, but the doctor said your thigh is fine. Won't give you any problems.""I wouldn't go out on an op if I thought differently," Dix pointed out."I know that." He met Dix's gaze. "I know how badly you want to lead this op, but I want you to remember two things." He held up one finger. "The screw-up last time wasn't yours. The politician who compromised the information has been dealt with, and the number of people on the need-to-know list for this one has been reduced to the smallest number possible. And no congressmen."Dix blew out a breath. "Good. That's good."The man held up a second finger. "You have nothing to prove, so just focus on the mission itself. I know you can do it.""Thank you, sir. I appreciate that.""One change, though. No target extraction this time. The order is to kill the fuckers dead.""Yes, sir." Dix had to force himself
All About Love Chapter 62
The afternoon turned into hours of erotic bliss. If she'd thought the nights they spent together were hot, they were nothing compared to this. Dix pulled out all the stops, introducing her to sensuous delights she'd only read about in books. She finally lay snuggled against Dix, every muscle like wet tissue paper, every area of her body sore but satisfied, wondering if she would ever again have sex as good as this.Enjoy what you've got while you've got it.She needed to keep telling herself that."How about a quick swim to cool off," Dix suggested. "Then I'll fix dinner. How does grilled chicken and corn on the cob sound?""Mouthwatering," she told him. "But I'm more than happy to cook. Really."He rolled her on top of him and peppered a row of kisses along her jawline, ending with one on her nose."Nope. It's my turn. But you can make a salad to go with.""Do you think we can go skinny dipping?" She gave him a mischievous grin. "I think I'm too beat to pull my bathing suit on.""Only
All About Love Chapter 61
Peyton sat at the picnic table down by the lake, her laptop open, staring at the words on the page. The pitiful few words on the page. She was glad she wrote electronically instead of on paper or she would have wasted reams of it by now. She couldn't count the number of times she'd written the damn first chapter, only to delete it and start again. She finally, finally had a concept in her head, but she couldn't seem to make it come out on paper in a way anyone would want to read. Too much of it was still swirling around in her brain.She had truly believed this week would be a turning point. Lord knew it was one of the best weeks of her life. During the day, Dix jogged his gazillion miles then did his long swim in the lake while she sat outside and read. After lunch, they fished or went into town, and she showed him all the places that were still there from when she was a kid. And, at night, they had the most incredible sex she had ever imagined. She couldn't call it making love. That
All About Love Chapter 60
"Get the fuck away from me." Dix reached out to smack the person, only to encounter soft flesh and hear a smothered scream. His eyes flew open. Crouched beside him in the bed, holding her jaw and trying to talk him off the ledge, was a very naked Peyton."Dix, wake up. Please." She turned on the bedside lamp, reached out, and stroked his face, trying to calm him. "It's okay. Everything is all right. I'm right here."His eyes focused on her, and his stomach flopped. The way she was holding her jaw, had he - Fucking shit.His heart was racing in overdrive, and he was covered with sweat. The dream was still so vivid. And Peyton. Jesus! He hoped he hadn't broken her jaw."Let me look at that." He reached for her, and she backed away, making him feel even sicker.But then she blew out a breath and moved close enough that she was crouching next to him. Unbelievably, she stroked his forehead and his cheek, soothing him. Him! The guy who probably broke her jaw."You're all sweaty," she
All About Love Chapter 59
Dix snugged Peyton next to him tightly, her soft body curled into his. They had made love twice more - No. Not made love. Had sex. He needed to stop thinking of it as anything else. There was no future for him the other way. His brain was messed up, as was his future. Getting involved with anyone was not only at the bottom of his to-do list right now, it wasn't even on it. But, for the first time in forever, he wasn't a ball of nerves lying in bed. He thought he might actually get a decent night's sleep as he closed his eyes and allowed himself to take comfort from the woman he was holding.He sank softly into fleecy clouds, his muscles relaxing, his nerves not synapsing as he let the dream surround him. There was Peyton Gerard, naked, red hair tumbled in curls around her shoulders, rosy-tipped breasts begging for his mouth, her - Whap! Whap! Whap!The helicopter blades sang a symphony as the craft hovered to release the team at the drop zone. The stealth helicopter, a Blackhawk f
All About Love Chapter 58
Dix placed an open-mouthed kiss right at the entrance to her channel, took one last lick at her sensitized skin, and looked up at her. His smile was so wicked, she began to get turned on all over again."You have the best cunt I've ever tasted," he rasped. "Sweet and tart and spicy all at the same time. It's like mixing chocolate candy with a margarita."Peyton couldn't help it. Even as she lay trembling and weak, she burst out laughing. "Is that some kind of recipe?""I think it's a unique one." He studied her face, eyes glittering. "Maybe I should call it the Peyton Cocktail. Only I couldn't put it on any bar menu because I'd have to kill anyone who tried to order it."Her laugh was breathy and unsteady. "O-okay." She ran her tongue across her bottom lip. "That was...incredible."He gave a rough chuckle. "Only incredible? I think I'll have to do better."If he did any better, Peyton was sure she would die from it.He rose to his feet and undressed so swiftly it took him scant
All About Love Chapter 57
"Well?" He almost whispered the word, his lips back to within a hair's breadth of hers. "If you don't say anything, I'm going to assume the answer is no, and we'll do our best to forget this ever happened."As if she could.She ran the tip of her tongue over her lower lip. Dix's mouth was so close, she stroked his along with hers, and his hands tightened on her."Y-yes." She almost whispered the word. Lord, why couldn't she just say it with confidence? There was no doubt she wanted this, no matter what else happened between them, But, at least this time, she was going into something with her eyes wide open and no unrealistic expectations.His mouth came down on her again, firm this time, with just the right amount of pressure. He used his tongue to trace the seam between her lips, a gentle caress, rimming the outline then back to that seam. The contact was harder, more intrusive until she parted her lips for him and that hot tongue swept inside. Tilting her head back, she welcomed
