ROMANCE: Bear Naked Passion (Billionaire Bear Trio Book 2) (26 page)

Chapter 7

And that was my first proper night in Barcelona. Never in my wildest dreams did I think that would happen but it did. After that we made love again, in the bed this time, and I've never known pleasure like it. I'm so far from home, from everything I've ever known, and I've never been happier. I came back to the room to find Jessica and Pierre in bed together and I was happy for them. I didn't expect my travel journal to take this direction but I think perhaps I've found the real secret to a happy life – to do whatever makes you happy. I've experienced what Barcelona has to offer—maybe tomorrow I'll get around to seeing some sights!

THE END

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City of Love with My Dad’s Best Friend

City of Love with My Dad’s Best Friend

Chapter 1

Cadence Williams was still sleepy as she made her way towards the kitchen. It was only nine in the morning but she felt like she had just been under a ten thousand pound truck. She got a mug from an overhead cupboard and put it on the counter.

“Oh good, coffee,” she muttered when she found the coffee grinds. She was about to start looking around for the filters when she noticed a fresh pot of coffee. She ran her fingers through her hair and sighed. The time difference was only five hours but it was really taking a toll on her. She had just poured herself a cup of coffee when her father’s best friend Liam Saunders walked in. He might have been in her father’s age group but every time she thought about him, all she could see was Richard Gere and George Clooney. He might have been older but he was one of the most attractive men she had ever known. And the fact that he worked out to maintain that perfect muscular tone he had and was well versed in fashion didn’t hurt either.

“Hey, you are up already,” he said. “I thought you would be sleeping in today.”

“Yeah…I really want to but I had some emails to reply.”

“I thought the whole idea of being here was to get away from your everyday hassles,” Liam said as he poured himself a coffee.

“It was but hey, when duty calls there is nothing to do but answer the call, right?” Cadence asked as she held her sup in both hands. “You of all people should understand what that is like.”

Liam raised an eyebrow over the other and smiled at her.

“Touché,” he said smiling. When he first started his international marketing business, Liam was the kind of man who would drop everything for the sake of his business and the memory of him running out on a whim was still fresh in Cadence’s mind.

“Wait? You wanted to get started on another pot of coffee?” he asked when he noticed the coffee grinds and box of filters on the counter. “You didn’t smell the fresh grinds? Because I can smell this stuff all the way from the front door.”

“Hey, lack of sleep can do that to you,” she said smiling.

“Clearly. Columbian coffee is like the smartphone when it comes to coffee.”

She smiled.

“I don’t doubt that for a minute.”

“What about you? Are you up to anything today?” Cadence asked as she looked at Liam who shook his head, smiling.

“What kind of host would I be if I just left my guest here?” he asked.

“What if you get one of those calls that you just can’t ignore?” she asked and he shrugged.

“Do you want me to leave you here? Alone?” he asked looking right into her eyes. “Because I can stay if you want me to.”

Cadence took a long deep breath. She didn’t know what she was supposed to do or say. She had a feeling that he was not just talking about staying in the house in case she needed anything. There was more to what he was offering than just being friendly.

“I don’t want to hold you back or anything,” she said in a soft voice. She was almost whispering.

He took a step closer and looked into her eyes. He gently slipped an arm around her waist and pulled her close making her gasp silently. She felt a thrill run down her spine when he kissed her cheek softly.

“Call me if you need anything,” he said when he pulled away, his coffee in hand.

She took a long deep breath and leaned against the counter. She was already beginning to see how her vacation would end…

This whole thing with Liam had begun a year earlier at Cadence’s family New Year barbecue. Her parents were outside with the rest of the guests and she had just walked into the kitchen to get away from the madness happening in the back lawn. Even at twenty five years of age, all grown up and the CEO of her own catering and maid service, her parents still expected her to attend all family events. It was almost annoying especially keeping in mind that she would rather spend her time with her friends in Maui than be at her parents’ place eating burgers and punch.

She noticed a half full cabernet sitting on the kitchen counter and immediately, she knew that her mother was somewhere inside the house.

“Probably the living room,”
she thought as she grabbed the bottle. She could hear her mother’s voice getting closer and closer and she knew that she had to get out of there. She took off her heeled sandals and tiptoed to the den. She had just closed the door to the den when she saw Liam inside there. She immediately felt her cheeks flush. That had been the case almost every time she saw him lately.

“Hey,” she said as she leaned against the door. “I’m sorry…I really didn’t know anyone else was in here. I could leave and just…” her voice trailed off when she realized that she did not really have anything intelligent to say.

“No, you need the quiet space as much as I do,” Liam said. “Plus I see you brought refreshments and I am fresh out,” he added as he raised his empty glass. She smiled and dropped her shoes before she began walking towards him. She sat down next to him and looked at him.

“So, I know why I need some ‘me time’,” Cadence started as she poured him some wine. “It is because everyone I know is having fun in Maui and I am stuck here.”

“Come on, this is sunny Miami. It is not that different from Maui,” Liam said and she rolled her eyes.

“Really? Kicking me while I’m low?” she asked and he shrugged.

“Think about it. They went out to a sun and sand destination and technically, you are in the same place though not geographically. All you have to do is just get yourself into a bikini and just have fun in the water.”

“Well, you might be right about the sun and sand but my friends are not here and I can’t say aloha and mahalo to people because they are going to think I am downright crazy,” she said and Liam nodded, laughing.

“I guess you are right,” he said. “But hey, you couldn’t leave all this perfect food…and fried chicken.”

“You are the only white person I know who fancies all the unhealthy fried chicken we black people happen t love so much,” she said.

“Are you kidding me? Fried chicken is the best thing to ever come from African American community. You guys are solely responsible for KFC I think,” he said and she smiled.

“Colonel Sanders was white, Mr. Saunders,” she pointed out.

“I think that was all an elaborate scam fashioned by the Klan.”

Cadence frowned.

“KFC?” she asked and he shook his head.

“No, the fact that the founder of KFC is white,” he said. “Maybe it is all about maintaining the idea of white supremacy they hold so dear.”

“You and my dad have been friends for way too long,” Cadence said shaking her head.

“I think we determined that the day your grandmother convinced me to be coming to church with you guys at least five times a year which is four times more than I am used to,” he said in a soft voice and she shrugged. She crossed her leg over the other one and sighed. “What?” he asked.

“In all honesty, there is kind of another reason why I didn’t go to Maui,” she said and he looked at her.

“Oh yeah?” Liam asked and he nodded.

“Yeah.” She took another gulp of her wine. “My ex Clay…we have always had the same circle of friends and now I hate to have them in a position where they have to choose…” she sighed. “I don’t want to be that person.”

“Being the bigger person can really suck,” he said in a low voice.

“Tell me about it,” she said before she gulped down more wine.

“Should you maybe pace yourself? Because that is a twenty year old bottle right there,” Liam pointed out.

“This is the only alcohol I’ve had this week. And that is after seeing pictures of Clay on Facebook and Twitter with his new fiancé.” She looked at him and shrugged. “Like I said, being the bigger person sucks.”

“Hell, drink away. You definitely need it,” Liam said.

“Thank you,” she said before she gulped down the wine. “So, what about you? Why do you need some alone time?” she asked. He took a long deep breath and took a sip of his wine before he turned to look at her.

“Melanie’s divorcing me,” he said and Cadence gasped in surprise. She had always known that Liam and Melanie Saunders were that one couple that would be together forever. She hadn’t even suspected that things were weird between them.

“Oh my God, Liam, I didn’t know…I’m so sorry,” she said in a low voice.

“Don’t be. It’s been a long time coming,” he said before he took a sip of his drink again. “The late nights, the phone calls, the impromptu trips…the writing was one the wall a long time ago. I was just the one who chose not to read it.”

“Wait,” Cadence said looking at Liam. “Melanie was stepping out on you?” she asked still surprised. This was all too weird to hear.

“For years,” Liam said nodding. “And I chose to ignore all the red lights.”

“I didn’t see the red lights either….rather I chose to ignore them too,” she said.

“Why does it suddenly feel like we are two peas in a pod?” he asked and she laughed.

“Well, this is one awesome pity party,” she said and he shrugged.

“Honestly, I am trying hard not to think about it,” he said and she forced out a laugh.

“You and me both but hey, we are both here,” she said as she put the bottle down.

“Wait, you and Clay,” he started as he looked into her brown eyes.

“”What about him and I?” she asked.

“You’ve been broken up for a while, yeah?”

She shrugged and then nodded.

“Six months,” she said.

“And he managed to get into another relationship and is now engaged?” he asked, sounding as surprised as she was bitter.

“What can I say? Life has a way of screwing you over.”

Liam took a long sip of his wine before he placed the glass on the table.

“Like I said, two peas in a pod,” he said looking at her.

As she sat there looking into his grey eyes, Cadence could not help but wonder why any woman in her right mind would even consider cheating on Liam. He was every bit the kind of man she had always envisioned for herself. He was tall and well-toned for his age. He had a full head of hair and deep searching eyes that always seemed a little inquisitive. He gently held her cheek and she felt a shiver go through her body.

“Why anyone would let you go is something I don’t understand,” he asked as he looked at her. “You are beautiful and sexy and…” his other hand found its way to her thigh. “These perfect curves…why would anyone let you go?” he asked again.

“Strange,” she whispered. “I was thinking the same thing about you.”

He held her gaze for a long second before he gently lowered his head and kissed her softly. She closed her eyes when she felt his lips on hers. His kiss was perfect and deep and sweet. It was unlike any other kiss she had ever had. He knew just what to suck, what to run his tongue against and what to nibble. When he finally pulled away, she was breathing hard and heavy. He pressed his forehead against hers and shook his head.

“I’m so sorry,” he said in a soft voice.

“No…don’t be,” Cadence said.

“But I shouldn’t have done that,” he whispered. She pulled opened her eyes but still pressed her forehead against his.

“And why not?” she asked.

“Because…if Edward knew what I was doing with his little girl…” he started and she pulled away from him.

“This is not about my father right now,” she started. “Don’t bring him into this, I beg you.”

“But your father and I…we have been…” he started before she kissed him gently.

“I am my own person, Liam,” she said when she pulled away. Liam looked into her eyes.

She could tell that he had things to say but for some reason he just couldn’t bring himself to say anything. Neither could she. He gently palmed the back of her neck and pulled her mouth down towards his. She exhaled into his mouth as he kissed her. This kiss was deeper and more passionate than the first. He was gently forcing his tongue into her waiting mouth and she did the same. She felt totally and completely helpless in his arms. The way he was holding the back of her neck and his other hand firmly secured around her waist, pulling her closer and closer still. She had not felt a man’s touch in almost a year and she knew that was not why she was like butter in Liam’s hands. It was because he knew exactly what he was doing. Every part of her body that he touched excited her. She slowly brought a hand up and held a lock of his hair as she went on pressing her lips against his.