All Night Woman: A Contemporary Romance (19 page)

“Assuming you’re right, what happens after three months?”

“Then we make it official.  I buy the biggest, baddest rock I can find, slip it on your finger, then spend the rest of my life proving to you that you made the right decision.”

The corners of her mouth twitched.  “You really are quite the salesman, Miles Grayson.”

“Not anymore.  Now I’m just a humble college student going into business with his brother and son.  Think you can handle that?”

* * *

H
e had her, he knew it.  Saw it in the way her features softened, in the telltale sheen of moisture in her eyes and the way her lips parted ever-so slightly.  She looked so damn good, so damn
his
, and all he could think about was how fast he could get her out of here and back to his hotel room.

“Daddy!” 

Visions of Liz naked and up against the wall shattered with that one word.  Miles blinked away the haze and looked up to find Liz’s father standing beside her.  The man had been cordial, if reserved, yesterday when Miles had taken him and his wife to lunch, but there was no mistaking the steel beneath the twinkling blue-gray eyes now.  Liz definitely got her eyes from her father.

“Are you having a good time?” she asked, standing up to give her father a hug.

Ed Benning’s eyes crinkled at the corners, the love he had for his daughter evident in them.  According to Holly, Liz was the center of his universe.  When he remembered who she was, that is.  Holly had told Miles that Liz’s dad was suffering from early-onset Alzheimer’s, and had good and bad days.

“It’s wonderful, pumpkin.  I haven’t seen your mother smile this much since you and your brother planned that surprise dinner for our twenty-fifth anniversary.  Where is Nick?  Is he coming?”  Liz’s father looked around expectantly.

If Miles hadn’t been watching Liz so closely, he would have missed the momentary flash of pain in her eyes. 

“No, Daddy, Nick couldn’t make it.”

Ed Benning’s disappointment was obvious, but he nodded.  “Anyway, I wonder if I might have a word with your young man.”

Liz flashed a worried look his way, but Miles had no problem with it.  “Certainly, sir.”

Miles followed Liz’s father to the outdoor patio.  A rush of heat slammed into them like a brick wall as they left the air-conditioned interior and walked into the bright, Florida sun.  Ed Benning wasted no time in getting right down to it.

“What are your intentions concerning my daughter, Mr. Grayson?”

“I love her, sir.”

“You’ll be marrying her, then?”

“Ideally.”

“Wrong answer, son.  You will either marry my daughter or you won’t.”  Ed’s eyes blazed in challenge.  The man still commanded a very strong presence and air of authority about him.  The military-style buzz-cut, six-four frame, and broad shoulders didn’t hurt, either.

“Doesn’t Liz have a say in this?”

“I might have my bad days,” Ed admitted, “but my mind is clear as a bell today.  I’ve seen the way my daughter looks at you.  What’s the problem?”

“I might not be the best choice for your daughter, sir.  Liz deserves better.”

To his surprise, Ed laughed and slapped a hand on his shoulder.  “Son, no man worth his salt believes he is deserving of the woman he loves.  That’s how you know you’ve found the right one.”

While Miles considered that, Ed added – still with a smile on his face – “And if you don’t make an honest woman out of her, I know exactly where my wife hid my prized German Luger.  Don’t make me use it.”

T
en Weeks Later

Liz stretched and yawned, her body still humming with the after-effects of yet another incredible night with Miles.  She kept waiting for the glow to dim, the hunger to fade, but it didn’t.  If anything, each day she wanted him more than the day before.

It wasn’t just that Miles was a fabulous lover, though he was undoubtedly that.  He was also kind, funny, intelligent, and a true gentleman in every sense of the word.  She hadn’t opened a single door or picked up a check in the last ten weeks.

Slipping out of his protective embrace, she pulled on the one-of-a-kind red silk robe adorned with dragons, the one Miles had custom-made for her during their trip to Japan last month.  It felt deliciously sensual as it slid over her skin. 

She glanced over to where he was still sleeping soundly and smiled.  If she was especially quiet, she might actually have the chance to enjoy wearing it for more than a minute or two this time.  Apparently red silk was as much a trigger for Miles as it was for bulls. 

Padding over to the sliding glass doors of their opulent penthouse suite (wherever they went, Miles insisted on getting the honeymoon suite), she gazed out upon yet another stunning view.  Dawn had yet to fully break; it was still dark enough for the lights on the Eiffel Tower to take her breath away.  When she stepped out onto the balcony, she had only to turn her head to also see the Louvre, the Seine, and the hotel’s stunning secluded garden below.

She pinched herself.  Again.  She’d done it so often recently she had a slight purplish discoloration on her forearm, but it still felt like a dream.  That was okay.  Every time Miles spotted the tiny bruise, he felt the need to kiss it.

Liz’s reality felt more like a fantasy these days.  It wasn’t just the exotic locations, spectacular views, and five-star hotels.  Those things were admittedly fantastic, but the real pleasure was in waking up in Miles’ arms every morning.

Miles loved her; she had no doubts about that.  Not only did he tell her frequently, but he also showed her in countless ways:  with tender touches, whispered promises, and the way he always tried to ensure she found her pleasure before he would take his own.  He was not always successful, of course; for Liz saw it as a two-way street and was every bit as motivated to do the same. 

But most of all, she loved the way he looked at her – with stunning blue eyes filled with a potent mix of love and hunger.  It worked out well, since she was quite sure the same look was in her eyes whenever she looked at him.

Their three month trial period was almost up.  This was their last full day in Paris; tomorrow they would board a plane and head back to the States.  She had a job to be getting back to, and Miles would be starting classes soon.  Plus Holly was getting close to her due date, and Liz definitely wanted to be there for that.

As wonderful as all the travelling had been, she was ready to go home and begin the next phase of her life. 

What a difference three months could make.

At the beginning of the summer, before she’d even gone to Florida, she’d handed in her resignation, fully intending to give independent consulting a try.  By the time she returned a week later, her answering machine had been overflowing with messages from her boss, each one more desperate than the last, begging her to reconsider. 

Miles, she’d discovered, was quite good at reading people.  He’d listened to all the messages, then offered a few suggestions on how to handle the situation.  One phone call later, she had the summer off (short-term leave of absence) and a promotion with a substantial raise awaiting her when she returned.  This was despite the fact that she’d made it perfectly clear that there would be no more seventy-hour work weeks and weekends spent at the office.

Because now she had a damn good reason to go home.

“What are you doing all the way over here?”  Miles’ low, sexy voice tickled her ear as he stepped up behind her and enveloped her in his arms.  It was surreal, standing there looking out over one of the most romantic cities in the world with Miles’ hot, hard, naked body at her back.

“Wondering when I’m going to wake up,” she murmured.

Miles turned her to face him, then lowered his head and touched his lips to hers.  It was such a tender kiss, but it rocked her to her core.  At least until he nipped her bottom lip.  Her eyes flew open.

“Are you up now?” he smirked.

Her hand slipped between them to wrap around his thick length.  “You certainly are.”

He grinned unrepentantly and nuzzled her neck.  “Around you?  Always.  You’re like the fountain of youth and Viagra all wrapped into one sexy, irresistible package.”

Was it any wonder she loved this man?

“Speaking of sexy packages,” she said, trying not to smile, “I’d rather you not put yours on public display.  I don’t want to have to take down a hungry horde of horny females next time we leave the room.” 

“Hungry horde of horny females?” he chuckled. 

“Yes.  I don’t think you realize just how attractive you are, Mr. Grayson.  Or the lengths I’m willing to go to keep you all to myself.”

* * *

T
hat look.  No woman had ever looked at him like that.  Fierce.  Possessive.  Aroused.  And so filled with love that he wasn’t sure he would ever deserve it.

He was going to spend the rest of his life trying, though.

“You’re sounding mighty possessive there, Mrs. Grayson.  It’s so fucking hot.”

He pulled her against his body and lifted her off her feet, carrying her back to the bed.  She was such a beautiful woman, and she was all his.  How he thought he’d ever have the strength to last a full three months before binding her to him, he didn’t know. 

Thank God she hadn’t held him to it.

Of course, Miles
was
an excellent salesman.  His presentation had been designed to be impossible to resist.  It consisted of a one-carat, flawless black diamond set in white gold, and the promise of seven wedding ceremonies.

Yep, seven.

The first had been in the Catskills, with Adam, Holly, Brandon, and the rest of his family in attendance.  Max carried the ring down the aisle.

Since then, they had also taken their vows in Maui, Sydney, Tokyo, Vienna, and Edinburgh.  Tonight, they would do so once again here in Paris.  It was a tradition he planned to continue.  Every year, on their anniversary, they would get married again in a different city. 

Liz said it was romantic.  Miles said it was incentive to keep her willing to put up with him.

Liz leaned back on the bed, propping herself up on her elbows.  Her eyes raked the length of his naked body, brazenly locking her gaze on that part of him so shamelessly begging for her attention.  No other woman made him so hard with just a look.

With a growl of approval, Miles slowly untied the silk sash and peeled back the sides of her robe, stepping back to enjoy the view. 

Liz grinned up at him.  She was so much more comfortable with her sexuality now.  Apparently knowing she had him wrapped around her little finger was a confidence booster.  Or it could be the way he practically drooled over her when she spread herself out like this before him.

“See something you like, Mr. Grayson?”

Hell yes, he did.

“Come here,” she commanded in that seductive, sex-kitten voice. 

He groaned and obeyed without question, fitting himself perfectly to her body.  She wrapped her arms and legs around him, welcoming him.  As long as he lived, he didn’t think he would ever get used to it. 

“I love you, Miles.”

“I love you, too, Liz.”  Miles slid into her slowly, relishing the way her eyes lost focus and she sucked in a breath.

“Will it always be like this?” she whispered.

“Yes,” he promised.

“No more doubts?”

“None,” he answered honestly.  “You?”

“No.”  She arched her back in pleasure, grinning wickedly.  “You’re my five minute man.”

“And you,” he said punctuating each word with a thrust, “are my all night woman.”

Y
ou didn’t have to pick this book, but you did.  Thank you!

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A
bbie Zanders loves to read and write romance in all forms; she is quite obsessive, really.  Her ultimate fantasy is to spend all of her free time doing both, preferably in a secluded mountain cabin overlooking a pristine lake, though a private beach on a lush tropical island works, too.  Sharing her work with others of similar mind is a dream come true.  She promises her readers two things:  no cliffhangers, and there will always be a happy ending.  Beyond that, you never know...

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