Novel

Chapter One

Kayla relaxed in her chair, smiling to herself, remembering her wonderful night with Harm—the massage, the fantastic foreplay, the slow and tantalizing sex that had left her comfortably drained and completely satisfied. But now to the order of the day. With a sigh, she sat up straighter and buzzed her secretary.

“Send in my first appointment please, Amelia.”

“She hasn’t arrived yet, Doctor. But there is someone here to see you. A reporter. A Mr. Devon Walker, from Your Health Today magazine. Shall I show him in?”

“I wasn’t expecting a reporter.”

“He said he knows he doesn’t have an appointment, but would you please just give him a moment?”

“All right, send him in.”

Trey entered, turning to thank the secretary before she closed the door. He stood, politely waiting for an invitation to sit from Kayla Saradon. While he waited, and their eyes held, Trey got his first impression of the woman. And it was quite an impression.

She was nothing like what he’d imagined—not hard or gritty or calculating. She was, in fact, the total opposite. Soft, feminine, and yet exuding a subtle strength that he concluded probably put her patients at ease. It was obvious to him she was determined to disguise her natural beauty with the severe hairdo and the loosely fitted suit. But she hadn’t succeeded. He was shocked at the way she seemed to emanate sensuality. The kind that is so deeply engrained, it can’t be muted, no matter the effort.

Kayla Saradon was, to say the least, the most striking woman he had seen in a long time, with the most compelling green eyes that she now turned on him in an inquisitive stare.

Trey immediately understood the pull she might influence over a nineteen-year-old boy, if indeed she had.

Hell, I feel it myself. I’d be her pool boy if she asked.

Out loud he said, “I appreciate your taking the time to see me, Dr. Saradon.”

“I don’t have that much time, I’m afraid. Won’t you be seated, Mr. Walker?”

He sat down across from her desk, offering a smile, which she returned, but just barely.

“You say you’re from Your Health Today?”

“Yes. I’d like to do a story on you.”

“On me? Or my work?”

“Actually, on you personally. The woman behind the work, so to speak.”

“And do you have a business card, Mr. Walker?”

“Certainly.”

Trey handed her one of his bogus cards and watched her eye it critically before lifting those astonishing eyes back to him.

“Sorry to tell you this, but I don’t do personal interviews of that sort, Mr. Walker. By that I mean I do not wish my personal life to be an issue when other people’s mental health should be. I consider myself simply a conduit for my patients.”

“I understand. That’s admirable of you. But your admirers would like to get to know the famous Dr. Saradon in a personal way.”

“Famous? I hardly think that’s the case. I certainly don’t warrant that kind of attention, nor do I wish it. I consider the work I do important, and that is what I would like to advertise—for want of a better word. Not myself.”

Trey could feel the personal interview angle slipping downhill fast. He decided to change tactics. “I’ll be honest with you, Dr. Saradon.”

With raised eyebrows, she said pithily, “That would be nice. What have you not been honest about, Mr. Walker?”

Trey was impressed with the way she cut to the chase. He decided she was probably an excellent psychiatrist. “It isn’t that I haven’t been honest exactly, I just haven’t been as forthcoming as I suppose I should have been.”

“You definitely have my attention. Proceed.”

“You see, I’m a freelance reporter and this is my first assignment with Your Health Today, a kind of test if you will, and if I don’t get some kind of personal interview, I’m afraid any future assignments will be out of the question. I hate sounding needy, but I sure would appreciate some kind of literary bone tossed my way.”

“I see. Well, I certainly don’t wish you to lose your connection there, Mr. Walker. But other than what I’m sure you already know, statistically speaking, because I’m sure you’ve done your homework, I don’t know what I can tell you.”

“Just to be able to quote you would help—like on your marital status or possible marriage plans for the future. Whether or not you’d like to have children one day. Or your long-range goals in terms of your profession. Whether or not you’ve always lived in Nashville or have plans to move later, much later, when you retire.”

“You seem to have covered every aspect of exactly what I do not care to share, Mr. Walker, other than the obvious. I am not married and never have been. I love what I do, helping people to sort out the difficulties in their lives, and shall continue to do so until I do retire, which I do not foresee in the near future. I have no plans to move away from Nashville, which has always been my home.”

“Is that all?”

“I think I answered all your questions.”

“Are you involved in a relationship now?”

“That’s too personal, Mr. Walker.”

“Sorry. It’s just—well—you are such a beautiful woman, I can’t believe some guy hasn’t claimed you as his own.”

“Claimed me?” she asked, sounding incensed.

Trey, you fool! Bad choice of words.

For the first time in longer than he could remember, Trey felt tongue-tied in a woman’s presence. Kayla Saradon was impressively overpowering, more so than any woman he had ever known. He couldn’t get over those mesmerizing green eyes that were, in this moment, shooting laser beams at him, definitely cutting him down to size.

“I—ah—I didn’t mean that like it sounded,” he stammered, trying to erase the irritated frown from her face.

“How did you mean it? I am not and never will be some man’s property, to be claimed, Mr. Walker! Now there is a quote you can use.”

“No, of course not. I’m sorry. Guess I’m not very good at this sort of thing.”

Think fool! How can I rectify this?

“I—ah—am used to writing fill-in articles and, like I said, this is my first interview. Probably my last, if you report my gross faux pas, and I wouldn’t blame you if you did.”

Though it went against his grain, Trey tried to sound contrite and pitiful, swallowing hard as though he were seeing his future go down the drain. He watched her expression change from annoyance to amusement. Finally a smile broke through.

And damn, what a smile! God, she’s gorgeous when she smiles.

“Relax Mr. Walker. I don’t bite.”

But you can if you want to, Trey thought as he returned the smile sheepishly. In fact, I would insist on it, if you gave me the chance.

“I’m obviously a lousy interviewer.”

“Everyone is nervous the first day on the job, which is what a first interview is like. I understand, and I’d like to apologize for being so abrupt.”

“Maybe we could start over. You could call me Devon instead of Mr. Walker.”

She nodded. “All right, Devon. And you may call me Kayla. So far as the personal interview goes, I really don’t have any more time this morning. I’m sure my appointment is about to arrive, or probably already has.”

“Perhaps we could meet after work for a drink and a more relaxed conversation?” Trey asked, remembering to try and look pathetically hopeful.

“I’m afraid I can’t this afternoon. Or any afternoon this week. Perhaps we could arrange to meet briefly on Saturday. Saturday is more or less a free day for me. Are you staying nearby?”

“At the downtown Sheridan.”

“Can you stay in town that long, or are you on a deadline and have to rush back?”

“I can stay.”

“Good. Shall we meet Saturday afternoon then, at the Sheridan?”

“That would be perfect. We could have lunch and talk.”

“If you’ll leave me your room number, I’ll ring you when I arrive and we can meet in the lobby. How does that sound? It will probably be around one o’clock.”

“Sounds perfect. Thank you for giving me another chance—Kayla,” Trey hesitated over her first name, as though he was doubtful of using it and thankful she had agreed to allow him that privilege.

Again, she blessed him with that radiant smile as he wrote his room number down, handed it to her, then stood and extended his hand.

She put her much smaller one in it, and Trey was amazed that he felt like he’d been branded. That hot touch skittered all the way down to his crotch and threatened to embarrass him. He suddenly had to fight the urge to pull her across the space that separated them and taste those luscious lips. So he made a hasty exit.

* * *

Trey was pacing the room, waiting for Kayla’s call, doubting she really would come, when the phone rang. He released a pent-up breath of relief as he answered, “Hello.”

“Mr. Walker? Kayla Saradon here. I am in the lobby.”

“Thought you were going to call me Devon.”

She hesitated briefly before correcting, “Right. Devon.”

“I’ll be right down.”

Trey saw her the minute he stepped off the elevator. His gaze ran right to hers and locked on like it was radar controlled. The smile she flashed him made him think she was as anxious to see him again as he was to see her.

Or maybe that’s just my hopeful imagination I’m reading into her expression, Trey thought as he reappraised her. She looked absolutely stunning in a casual sundress that matched her hair, which today was loose, down around her shoulders. She wore strappy sandals with high heels that made her long legs seem even longer—sexier. He noticed her toenails were painted a flirtatious coral. He groaned inwardly. Lord, what the lady can do to a sundress is unbelievable!

Trey couldn’t help just feasting his eyes, taking in her shapely curves and her mass of strawberry blonde hair that settled on those perfect shoulders like spun gold.

He took her hand, which she held out as she rose to meet him. As before when they had touched, he felt that electric spark when she laid her hand in his.

“So good to see you again, Kayla,” he said. “May I say you look lovely?”

“Thank you. Nice to see you again too, Devon.”

“Shall we go into the dining area? Are you hungry?”

“I could eat,” she said with another one of those smiles that, to Trey, seemed to light up the room.

“Good. Their food, so they have informed me, is excellent. But if you would prefer some other place, we could go elsewhere. I’m afraid I’m unfamiliar with Nashville, so I’ll trust your judgment.”

“Here will be fine. I’ve eaten here before, and their food really is good.”

Taking her arm, enraptured by her light but enticing flowery scent, he breathed in deeply and felt the jolt of it in his abdomen. He escorted her into the dining room where they were seated promptly.

He was wondering what she was thinking as Kayla stared at him intensely across the table, those magnificent green eyes going over his features. He felt like they were doing more than just looking. They seemed to be devouring his face. He would have given a month’s salary to know if her thoughts at that moment were running anywhere parallel with his, which were hot and needy.

They had finished the meal. Kayla declined dessert, so Trey ordered coffees, reluctant for their time together to end and sure it would when they left the restaurant.

They had settled into a silence that Trey was unsure how to break. He was thankful when Kayla took the initiative.

“Why don’t we continue the interview in your room, Devon? We could talk more privately there.”

He was both surprised and pleased as he met those extraordinary green eyes.

“That would be perfect. I would have suggested that, but I didn’t know what you would think. I wouldn’t want to compromise your—ah—reputation.”

Kayla laughed. “I don’t care what people say, Devon. I deal in truths, not innuendoes or rumors, and I have no patience with those who cater to that kind of subtle slander.”

Damn, she’s a woman after my own heart! “Good to know.”

He paid the check and they left the dining area. Kayla excused herself briefly in the lobby, walking away to make a quick phone call before rejoining him at the elevator.

Once in his room, Kayla immediately kicked off her shoes. She curled comfortably on the two-seater couch while Trey watched in utter fascination.

“Now, why don’t you sit down beside me and get comfortable, as well, and let’s really talk,” she suggested, patting the place next to her.

Trey sat down but was far from feeling comfortable. Having her this close, he couldn’t help but visualize her on the bed, naked and inviting. He hoped his thoughts, growing warmer by the minute as he inhaled her enticing flowery perfume, wouldn’t become an embarrassment he couldn’t hide.

Feeling drawn to her, overwhelmed by her nearness, Trey leaned toward her, his eyes holding fast on those inviting, luscious lips. Simultaneously, she leaned toward him and their lips touched, lightly at first. Then he pulled her closer, deepening the kiss, his tongue seeking hers, delving into her open and receptive mouth.

When their lips parted, he expected her to pull away, but she didn’t. He stood, pulling her up, and melded her against his rock-hard shaft wedged against her yielding body.

“I know this is unprofessional, but damn, Kayla, I want you.”

“I can tell,” she said bluntly, her green eyes alight with a mischievous gleam as her hand reached to touch him, to fondle and explore his turgid length.

“My heavens, you’re impressive.” she chuckled.

“God! You know what you’re doing to me? But I’m not sure what I’m doing to you,” he said as he kissed her again, hungrily and imploringly.

Trey could feel her trembling, with what he hoped was desire as they parted.

“You could write a very revealing story about me if I gave in to what I really wanted to do right now. You don’t write exposés, do you, Devon?”

“Story be damned! This is a private time, between the two of us and nobody else,” he assured her.

“So what happens from here on is off the record?”

“Absolutely.”

Without speaking, she led him toward the bed. She began undressing him, slowly, seductively, her eyes holding his as she tossed his jacket and unbuttoned his shirt, pulling it from his trousers.

Trey watched her watch him, awestruck by her intense expression. He could almost feel the heat emanating from her, and everywhere she touched his skin, he felt branded.

“You’re so gorgeous, Kayla.”

“And you’re probably the most handsome man I have ever seen. I can’t wait to see the perfect body that goes with that perfect face,” she said as she unbuckled his belt and slid it through the loops, and then tossed it to the floor. Then she unzipped his trousers and pushed them down. Her fingers hooked the elastic of his boxers and pushed them down, releasing his swollen, fully extended shaft.

“Turnabout is fair play,” he said as he began undressing her.

When they were both naked, Trey looked her up and down, shaking his head in disbelief. “Damn woman, speaking of perfect!”

He ran his hands down her body, his fingers coming back to tweak her taut nipples before lowering his mouth to taste the hardened buds. Unaware he was moaning a soft ummm, he lifted his seeking mouth to ravenously claim hers as he backed them both onto the bed and pushed her down.

Rolling to her side, he studied her face, delighting in the open look of raw desire he saw reflected in those green eyes.

She surprised him when she said, “Let me make love to you, Devon. Have you ever had a woman be the aggressor? “

Trey successfully pushed down the bitter memories her question brought to mind. He simply shook his head. No way was he going there.

“Well, let me. I want to make this my fantasy night come true, with my fantasy stranger.”

“Night? Are you saying you’ll stay the night?”

“Yes.”

“What say we make love to each other?”

“Me first. You just lie there and let me please you.”

Her tongue began a warm, licking exploration of his body, beginning with his closed eyes as she commanded, “Lie still. Close your eyes. I want what I do to be a surprise. I want this to be a night, Devon Walker, you won’t ever forget. You know that old saying about ships passing in the night? Well that’s us. And I don’t want you to ever forget me as you sail on by.”

“Hell, who could ever forget you?”

He did as she said, feeling the flicking warmth of her tongue first on his closed eyelids, then lightly across his lips before moving down to slide along his neck, to flick into his ear, which sent shivers down his spine, before she moved down to his chest.

She suckled his aureoles the way he had hers, only harder, almost painfully, nipping each, soliciting his surprised grunts. Trey felt each electrifying bite skitter downward and lodge in his groin.

He lifted his hips involuntarily as her tongue delved into his navel and then slid down lower, warmly and wetly sliding along his cock, all around it, flicking and teasing the tip.

“Damn Kayla. I don’t want to….”

“Don’t say you don’t want to cum, Devon. I want you to. More than once. I want to see how many times I can make you cum. Remember this is my fantasy, so relax and give in to it.”