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  She followed behind him and made to sure to leave the door open. He eyed the door, got up, and closed it. “You can’t leave, damn it.”

  “There isn’t anything further for us to discuss,” she said. “I have given my notice and you accepted it. Now, unless you have anything work related, I have several items that need to be completed and you have to call back David Jackson. He was upset about the inspection on the Mercer building.” She stood up and walked out. Still, it hurt that he didn’t try and stop her.

  ***

  From then on, she was ice. It was all she could do to protect herself. On Wednesday she compiled a list of replacements and took them into him to review. He gave her a look of disgust and said he didn’t care. He had taken to communicating only through emails and in barks as he left and entered his office.

  Friday came faster than she expected, and the tears were back. It would be the last time she saw him. Eleanor Thomas, the woman she had picked to replace her, was coming in to meet him, and Laura would train Eleanor while he was out of the office the next week. She ended up in all black, to match her mood, wide leg trousers again, and a black camisole under a light shrug. She hadn’t worn a skirt or dress all week, and he had looked her up and down each morning.

  Eleanor was on time, and Laura showed Eleanor into his office and refused to acknowledge his expression as he took in the fifty-five-year-old grandmother before him. She closed the door on her way out and tried to focus on the report in front of her, but she couldn’t. After a half-hour Eleanor was out with a smile on her face and agreeing to be back on Monday at eight sharp. Seconds later, he barked Laura’s name and she entered his office slowly. He was waiting for her.

  His hard and hot body was pressed against every inch of her, and his mouth was on hers. Her whole body lit up at his touch. It had been too long. He was all she could breathe, all she could see< and she needed him desperately. “Paul, I need you.”

  His agile fingers had her trousers unfastened and down, and he found the thong. He also found her wet and ready for him. He pulled her up against the door, and her body responded to the memory. She wrapped her legs around him. She was open for him, seeking his cock to fill her up because she was so very empty. The moment he entered her, she felt her heart stop. He was hers and she was his.

  He pounded into her with all his might, but it was too much after so long, and both of them came quickly in an explosion. He shuddered against her and she came apart in his arms.

  When she came back to reality, she allowed herself a small kiss on his cheek. Even as she rested her head against the door, attempting to create space between them, her pussy clenched around his still heavy, limp cock inside her. At last, she found her voice. “Unless you have something to say to me, this was a mistake.”

  He looked down at where they were still connected and gently pulled her legs from around him, giving her the moment she needed to find her footing. He turned away then, fastening his pants as he went. He seemed at a loss for words, and Laura told herself she would not cry.

  “I need you.” He was so sincere and earnest it broke her heart all over again.

  “Yes, but I love you and I need you to love me back.” She waited and waited, staring into his back as he stared down at the street below.

  She realized he wasn’t going to say it back, and she did the only thing she could. She walked away.

  Chapter Nine

  It was nearing the end of Wednesday. Laura was showing Eleanor how to run a report that Paul was very particular about, and was shocked to hear Paul saying her name.

  “In my office, please.” Stunned, she followed him in.

  He closed the door with a click that snapped her back to reality. She took in his disheveled hair and dark beard. He looked like hell.

  “What are you doing here?” It was all she could think to say.

  “I’m here asking you to give me another chance. I’m here to tell you I love you, and I’m sorry I was so stupid and made you wait so long to hear it. I knew it that time I came back from New York. I had thought about it while I was away and missing you like crazy. But I knew it, really knew it, when I freaked out over spanking you so hard. I was terrified I had gone too far and you’d leave me for it. I took you back to my place and kept you there because I was afraid you’d come to your senses and never come back to me if you left my place. I love you and I can’t imagine my life without you, and I don’t even want to think about my life without you. Will you marry me?” He held out a small box that contained the most beautiful ring she had ever seen. “If you don’t like it we can change the setting or go shopping. It was my mother’s and—”

  She burst into tears. “It’s beautiful and I love it! But Paul, I told you we don’t have to the married thing right now. For me, it’s just enough to know you love me, and marriage is something we can get to eventually.”

  “No, damn it! I want my ring on your finger. I want everyone, especially you, to know that you belong to me just the same as I belong to you. I swear to God, ever since you walked away from me that day of Kelly’s wedding, I haven’t been whole. I’ve just been a shell, a stupid, blind shell of myself and in so much pain there were times I wondered if I would survive through it. I need you to say yes, sweetheart.”

  Her hands were shaking as she slid the ring on her finger. “Of course I will. I love you.”

  “Thank God!” He picked her up and kissed her thoroughly and deeply.

  “Paul, I love you, and I’m glad you’re here, but I have to ask. What changed your mind?”

  “My brother Jim. He made me see that it didn’t matter that I was trying to protect myself from getting hurt by not doing the marriage thing. I was still hurting because you were walking away. I have to tell by this morning he was ready to fly me back to Chicago himself. I love you, Laura. I just wasn’t the same without you. And just so you know, this won’t be a year-in-planning wedding like Kelly had. We can do the big church and all the flowers, but being rich has its benefits, and money can make the same thing happen in less than half the time. I want you wearing my wedding ring before the end of the year.”

  “I’ve never been a big wedding kind of girl. I don’t want the fuss. I just want you.”

  He pulled her close, and she fought to breathe deep, but she smiled with the knowledge that it was the same for him. “Come on, let’s go home and celebrate in bed.”

  And they did.

  Ten years later

  Laura knew she should be getting ready to go, but she couldn’t stop looking down at her sleeping twin boys. They were so beautiful to her, little Pauls in miniature at the age of four. They weren’t identical twins—Evan had her eyes and nose—but they both looked very much alike, and took after their father. So often every day she would look at them in wonder, especially considering how hard it had been to have them.

  After two years of happy and contented marriage, she and Paul had started to try for children, and had done so with enthusiasm—but after a year without any results, it became clear it wouldn’t happen without help. Fertility drugs didn’t help, and they’d made her cranky and tearful. They quickly decided to move on to in vitro, but the first time came up without results. Laura was so despondent she’d wondered if it was worth it. She knew it couldn’t be easy for Paul, but he’d been a rock, loving and supportive. He was adamant that whatever it took to make her dreams happen, they would do it. Their second round of in vitro worked, and they’d been stunned and ecstatic to find out they were expecting twins. Laura assured Paul she was content with two children, and he’d been relieved. Deep down she thought it was because of the children being her idea, but he admitted watching her struggle had been the hardest part of it all, and her happy again was what he wanted most.

  Her pregnancy was, thankfully, an easy one, and she was with Paul at work every day until her seventh month, when he told her he wanted her at home resting. His one request at them having children was that she be a stay-at-home mother. If she had to work then it
would only be part time. Laura had agreed freely, happy to have their children as her focus. Paul bought them a large house in the central location of Lincoln Park, and quickly installed a housekeeper over Laura’s objection. Then when she realized just how hard it was to maintain three levels and two babies on her own, she was grateful to Paul. Because of just how big the house was and how much help Dora, the housekeeper, gave her with the twins, they also had a service come in twice a week.

  His arms came around her then and pulled her against him. “They look so peaceful when they’re asleep. You’d never guess what tornadoes they can be when they’re awake. I know you aren’t looking forward to leaving them, sweetheart, but it’s only for a week. Jim and Cayce will take good care of them.”

  “I know, and I guess I’m feeling a little guilty because I am actually looking forward to just a week of us. Long days of you inside me, you in my mouth again and again.” She turned in his arms and loved the feel of him hard against her.

  “Remember April’s very smart advice, that the kids are important but we shouldn’t feel guilty about putting us first. When we’re in our old age, it will just be you and me, and the kids will be off living their life. A stolen weekend two or three times a year since they’ve arrived hasn’t been nearly enough, my love. Ten years and I still can’t get enough of you, the smell of you, and the feeling of being inside you. You still give me a high like no other.”

  She ran her hands through his still-thick hair, which was beginning to glisten with grays at his temple, and smiled. “Ten years and you still can’t believe it. Be honest—there was a tiny part of you that didn’t think we’d make it this long. Mr. Fifty Percent of Marriages End in Divorce.”

  “Actually, sweetheart, I never doubted us for a second. It was like you said: the fifty percent who married for the right reasons, those were the ones that would make it. I’m not going to lie and say having kids didn’t scare me a little, that it would change things between us. Of course it has, but it feels like a natural evolution. I also kind of like them a lot, gotten pretty attached to them. I love the way Sam has your giggle and Evan tilts his head just like you do. They changed things, and us too, made you more patient and me less work focused.

  “It has also made the moments when we’re alone that much more special. I’m also proud of you for being such an amazing mother and not forgetting how to be my wife.”

  In the years since the twins came, she had been intent on making sure that Paul never felt forgotten or unattended. At least twice a week he tried to work from home at least a half-day, and weekends were strictly for her and the kids. He was always thoughtful and supportive of her needs and the children. She hadn’t wanted to become one of those women who got wrapped up in their children and forgot their husband. She’d also done her best to keep fit, and even though she’d gone up a size and worried about it, he’d made it very clear that the few pounds only added to her appeal, as they’d gone to his two favorite spots: her ass and her breasts. It hadn’t been easy—some weeks they only managed once or twice a week, and those were usually quick and furtive couplings. But no matter what, she often found the time to go down on him. He’d whispered that he was thankful but her mouth was always second best to being inside her body. She’d understood, because it had been hard on her too, missing the feeling of him inside her. So she’d taken more care to make sure the twins were on a tighter schedule of sleep, and she wasn’t quite as exhausted at the end of the day. With that she was better able to function in the evening for Paul—not just sexually, but as his companion.

  As the twins got older, she’d taken to leaving them in the care of Dora for their afternoon naps and going to Paul’s office for longer sessions. The first time he’d been surprised and then thrilled. It had felt like their first year together all over again.

  “Come on, sweetheart, it’s time to get packed. There won’t be much need for clothes in the Caymans, though. The home we’ll be staying in is private and right on the beach. Although I guess there will be times when we might need to leave to get supplies.”

  “No way,” she said. “We are loading up on supplies on the way from the airport, and it will just be us all week long. I have it all planned. The realtor was very helpful.

  “I do have some packing to do. I bought a few select pieces you don’t get to see until we get there. Even though I won’t be wearing them for long, I think you’ll like them,” she said as she led him to their bedroom.

  His Hostile Takeover

  Ellie Shaw has been in love with Greg Turner since she first met him at sixteen. It doesn’t matter that now, at twenty-four, he still treats her like a kid sister, Ellie still loves him. So why does her body go haywire when she first meets Dmitri Markhoff? Dmitri is taking over the company she has worked so hard to keep going, and Ellie isn’t part of the bargain. Okay, she needs the job as a personal assistant he’s offering, and it’s only for three months. That’s more than enough time to save money so that once the three months are up she can support herself while she finds another job. When the three months are up she will be back in Alexandria and back near Greg. She loves Greg. Hormones and never having been touched are all that are making her feel the way she does about Dmitri. She’s sure of it. Besides all of that, men as gorgeous as Dmitri Markhoff don’t look twice at women like her, who wear a dress size in the double digits—they go for size-zero models.

  Dmitri Markhoff is a ruthless corporate raider and has long given up on soft feelings for women. He enjoys their bodies, and pays for it in diamonds and other trinkets. All he wants is Elise’s lush body, which has the kind of curves that should come with a warning sign. Love isn’t something he’s looking for. When he figures out that Elise is untouched, his body goes into overdrive. Even though he’s aware keeping her is wrong when all he wants is sex, he’s having the hardest time letting her go.

  Link to excerpt and buy link on my blog: http://fionamurphyeroticromance.blogspot.com/2014/03/cover-blurb-and-excerpt-for-his-hostile.html

  His Next Chapter

  Lukas Everett is Avery Parker’s new reclusive landlord. He’s gorgeous but damaged, as damaged on the outside as Avery is on the inside. A car accident that killed his wife left him with physical scars that cause him to hide from the world. Avery hasn’t had it easy in her few physical relationships, and isn’t looking to get involved with anyone, let alone someone as cold and hard as Lukas. Lukas seems just as intent at keeping her at bay, even though she knows he feels the same longing she feels. With her mind telling her to run and her body begging her to stay, Avery accepts his job offer, and she finds Lukas doesn’t just own properties but is a writer that she herself has enjoyed. It isn’t long before Avery demands all the passion she sees in Lukas, but will she just be the next chapter in his story or will they find their own happily ever after?

  Link to excerpt and buy link on my blog:

  http://fionamurphyeroticromance.blogspot.com/2014/03/cover-blurb-and-excerpt-for-his-next.html

  Abby has Gone Wild

  It was just supposed to be a one-time thing, posting a naked picture of herself on a social website that has hundreds of other women doing the same thing. Only it very quickly hooked Abby on the high of knowing that others desired her body. Until it’s just one man that has her full attention. Jack is gorgeous and he wants her, and it’s Abby’s worst luck, she believes, that he’s in the same city, Austin. Abby isn’t ready for more than what she can give from behind the safety of her keyboard. But Jack won’t take no for an answer when her body and her moans are telling him yes. Tracking her down, Jack is even more enticing in person than from behind the computer, and she can’t ignore that her body wants him just as badly as he wants her. Jack won’t give up on her, and Abby has to decide if she’s willing to give up the safety of being alone to let Jack in.

  Link to excerpt and buy link on my blog:

  http://fionamurphyeroticromance.blogspot.com/2014/03/excerpt-cover-for-abby-has-gone-wild.html

  His Back Bay
Princess

  Diego Suarez is a Boston homicide cop who comes from a completely different world than Catherine Fisher. He’s the son of Mexican migrant farm workers; she can find the founders of Boston in her blue bloodline. He had to endure a stint in the Marines to fund college; she went to a private university, and her graduation present was a three-story home in Back Bay, where Diego can’t even afford property taxes. They are different, too different for it to work out between them. Cat deserves better than what he can give her. It will never work.

  It doesn’t matter if the only time he feels alive is when he’s with her. It doesn’t matter that she looks at him with all the love she feels for him in her eyes. One day she’ll wake up and figure out she can do better than him. It’s better to never start something that won’t last, can’t last.

  Catherine doesn’t care about money, the having of it or lack of it. All she cares about is Diego. After Diego has been shot and she is asked to look after him, she knows she has just one last chance to find out what is keeping Diego from her. She knows he feels something for her, so why is he pushing her away?

  Link to excerpt and buy link at my blog:

  http://fionamurphyeroticromance.blogspot.com/2014/03/cover-blurb-and-excerpt-for-his-back_31.html

  The Gangster’s Girlfriend

  Miranda Beckett has been born and bred in Chicago, and with that comes the knowledge that the city built firmly on criminal enterprises is still a city where crime is as much of the economy as the retail shops and hotels that line Michigan Avenue. Just like others in Chicago, a blind eye is a content eye—until it’s all brought into sharp focus by her younger brother one late night. She hasn’t seen her brother in years, and the last time she told him she never wanted to see him again, so she knows it’s desperation that led him to her door. Before, he flat-out stole from her, but now he’s pleading for the money. He pleas for the money that he owes the head of the IRA in Chicago, and then he threatens that Declan Kelly knows about her and that she has the money, and if she doesn’t give it than Kelly will come for it himself.