Sweet Seduction

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Copyright © 2011 by Nikki Winter All Rights Reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or shared in any form, including but not limited to: printing, photocopying, faxing, recording, electronic transmission, or by any information storage or retrieval system without prior written permission from the authors or holders of the copyright. This book is a work of fiction. References may be made to locations and historical events; however, names, characters, places and incidents are the products of the author’s imagination and/or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons (living or dead), businesses, events or locales is either used fictitiously or coincidental. All trademarks, service marks, registered trademarks, and registered service marks are the property of their respective owners and are used herein for identification purposes only. Published by Beautiful Trouble Publishing, LLC PO Box 61 Colfax, NC 27235 www.beautifultroublepublishing.com Cover Art: Marteeka Karland, http://www.marteekakarland.com/ Editor: Novellette Whyte http://authorgurunovellette.blogspot.com/ Proofreader: Legacy Editing, http://legacyediting.com/ Formatter: Jim & Zetta, http://www.jimandzetta.com/ E-book Conversion: Jim & Zetta, http://www.jimandzetta.com/ ISBN: (e-book) 978-1-61788-250-0

And here we go again folks. I really don’t have the slightest idea how I ended up giving you guys a six part series (with more to come so calm down) out of one story but it’s been one of the best journeys I’ve ever taken. To see these characters come alive from one simple idea has been AMAZING and I appreciate each and every one of you who’ve been on this ride with me. Okay, enough with the mush. I also have no clue who legitimately has dibs on Felix but I do believe it’s Violette—aka Purple Rain. Now if she happens to waive her rights, then that means my Twin (who has been badgering me FOREVER for Felix) gets full claim to him. I know, I know, it’s not exactly fair but guess what? I’m Jayha’s Padawan, why would you expect anything I do to be fair? (Grin) Enjoy folks. —Nikki

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CAVEAT This work of erotica contains adult language and sexually explicit scenes, which are smoking hot. This book is intended only for adults, as it is defined by the laws of the country in which the purchase is made. Keep this book out of the hands of under-aged readers.

There Are Moments “Lena Nicole Ramos, get that pillow off your brother’s face right now!” Twenty year old Lena looked up from the task of slowly smothering her older brother, Felix, but wasn’t exactly quick to get up. “But Mama-” “Little girl…” “He called me ‘wide-ass’ again,” Lena whined, ignoring the way Felix was starting to flail and kick. Her mother sighed, leaned into the doorway of the den and looked over at a very calm Archer who seemed to be quite entertained by the fact that his best friend was close to death. “Did you even try to help him?” He shot her his signature charming grin, the one that’d had him sitting at her dinner table for the past ten years with no problem. “Mama Mona, I would if I hadn’t warned him twice not to say it.” He shrugged. “He didn’t listen, so now he is suffering the consequences” Waving a hand at the pair, he sat back again. Mona looked back over at her daughter. “How long have you had him under there?” 7

Sweet Seduction Lena shrugged. “I dunno. About fifteen minutes maybe. Every so often I let him up for a sip of air then push him back down again.” Mona had been telling her boy for years that one of these days Lena would end him if he didn’t quit with the name calling. “I’ll give you five more minutes then you gotta let him up because he’s not fighting as hard as he was before—which means he’s losing consciousness.” When the doorbell rang everybody stopped. Lena hopped up. “No need. Paige is here so my torturing is done.” She walked past Archer and popped his Stetson off because it was his favorite and she knew it. He mumbled something that sounded like, “Brat” but she ignored him and headed for the front door of the house. She was too excited to pay the prick any mind or show concern for the fact that Felix was on the floor gasping for breath and calling them all psychotic and unstable. Not too long after that, she could hear her Daddy telling him, “Get off the floor and have some dignity boy. You insult Lena and you’re bound to get a foot in your ass.” Lena giggled and swung the front door open. “Took you long enough to get here.” One of Paige’s eyebrows rose over the rim of her 8

Nikki Winter glasses as she stated dryly, “I’m so sorry, oh ruler of the world, that I didn’t get here at the exact time you demanded.” “Well as long as you’re repentant I suppose I can forgive the transgression.” “Move outta my way before I kick you.” Lena grinned and moved to the side. “Uh...Paige one warning...” “What?” “Felix is home.” When Paige made a run for it, Lena was there to block her.  Breathing deeply and slowly, Felix stared across the dinner table at his sister’s best friend, Paige Matthews. Was there anything more uncomfortable than trying your damnedest to not get a hard-on in public? He really could kill Lena for letting Paige just walk in like that! Gorgeous, smart-ass, mean as a diamondback, Paige. Those light green eyes always seemed to soften for everything but Felix. He couldn’t understand why but he could say that no matter how she looked at him she made him think bad, bad things. 9

Sweet Seduction There she sat, toffee skin glowing, hair freshly cut in a pageboy style that framed her pretty heartshaped face, wearing a sundress that made him question exactly how much control he had. The damn thing wasn’t even overtly sexy it was just that the yellow color against her skin looked so good he wanted to lick her...and other stuff. Felix shifted in his seat and tried to focus on everything but Paige. Baseball...Bass fishing...the time you got a broom taken to your ass for ruining your Mama’s bed of tulips! Think man! Think! After dinner everyone just kind of disappeared, because they had plans, leaving Felix and Archer to clean up the kitchen since it was their night. Well Felix cleaned while Archer watched. “If you scrub that plate any harder you’re gonna break it.” Archer teased. Felix just flipped him the bird over his shoulder but kept cleaning. “Dude, you got it bad.” “Shut. Up.” “I’ve never seen you like this over some chick.” Felix swung around, one arm snapping out to point at his best friend. “Paige is not just some chick and if I ever hear those words come outta your mouth 10

Nikki Winter again I’m shoving both my boots so far up your ass that I’ll be tap dancing on your kidneys. Got me?” Archer didn’t respond, just smirked. Sudden realization dawned and Felix’s shoulders slumped. “She’s in the doorway isn’t she?” “She was, before she took off running about five seconds after your declaration of violence,” his best friend drawled with a wide grin. “Asshole.” Felix tossed the dish towel at Archer’s head and took off after Paige. Knowing her, she was gonna hop in her car and spit rocks getting home.  She heard her name being called but she didn’t dare turn around. There was no way in hell she was going to face him after that. No, no, no. Hell no! Paige kept going as far as her sandal clad feet would carry her. “Paige would you please stop!” “No!” “Dammit Paige!” She could hear him sprint into a full run and she tried to go faster but her foot hit a slab of uneven pavement and she was going down before she knew it. 11

Sweet Seduction She put her hands out, waiting for an impact that never came. That’s when she heard his chuckle and felt it rumble through his chest as his strong arms caught her just a few seconds away from breaking something important. “You can open your eyes, sweetheart. I got you.” She did, very slowly and felt herself being righted until her feet were firmly back on the ground. Looking up at Felix, she stepped back a few feet. “Thanks.” “What’re you doing out here, you almost ruined your pretty face.” One big hand came up to fix her glasses but she slapped it away and moved back. Felix frowned. “Wanna tell me where you were going?” “Home.” “Why?” “Because...because...” “Waiting here, sweetheart.” “Because of that!” Paige threw up her hands. Felix frowned even harder. “Because I call you sweetheart?” “Yes and baby, and that weird Latin nickname and every other endearment you can. Cut it out would you?” 12

Nikki Winter His head cocked to the side. “You’re angry.” Her face grew hot. “No, I’m not.” Stepping closer, he pressed his index finger to her forehead, smoothing the wrinkles. “Yes, you are. Why? Because I call you sweet names?” “I...that...that’s not what makes me angry.” “Okay then, so what does exactly?” She rubbed her temples. “Going through the motions with you.” He frowned. “The motions?” “Yes,” Paige nodded. “The motions. This game of dancing around each other until we finally sleep together. It’s pointless.” “Who said all I wanted to do is sleep with you and why do you think it’s pointless? The motions, I mean.” She let out a frustrated little growl. “I know it’s pointless because I don’t want you.” She was lying and she knew it. Paige wanted him so bad that it scared the shit out of her. She’d seen what that kind of love could do to a person; make them slaves to their emotions, completely eradicate their identity, and all for what, to prove themselves in love? No, she’d watched her mother do it and she’d be damned if she would repeat the cycle with Felix. “Oh.” His brows lifted. “Oh.” A sly grin replaced 13

Sweet Seduction the confusion on his face. “So you’re saying you’re not attracted to me?” Paige froze. Felix had an effect on her, making butterflies flutter around in her tummy whenever he got near, and a minute ago when he’d caught her… Shaking her head, she backed away. “No, I’m not.” He stepped closer. “I think you are.” “Well what you think and what is, are two different things.” Sighing, she tried a different approach. “Listen, you’re great Felix, you really are but I’m not...I can’t...” “You know, I have a favorite pastime besides annoying Lena.” “And that would be?” She questioned, not really wanting to know. The gleam in his eyes told her everything. Leaning down, Felix whispered, “Exposing a liar.” Then his lips were on hers, his tongue sliding easily into her mouth, tangling with hers. Paige found herself reaching for him but she came away wanting because he broke the kiss. His dark eyes twinkled as he stared down at her. “Tastes like a lie to me.” He grabbed her hand and linked their fingers. Paige didn’t pull away because she was too dazed. “Now,” he said tugging her along, “let’s go back before Lena goes kamikaze and comes looking for you.” 14

Nikki Winter Paige just followed behind, wondering exactly what the hell had just happened.

15

Where Ten years later... “I’m risking my life for you. You owe me!” Oh she was crazy if she thought he’d be paying his debt like this. There was no way in the deepest, darkest, dankest, recesses of hell he was doing this. He shook his dark head and faced her glare straight on. “No. Hell no.” “Felix—” “Forget it Lena. I love you and I appreciate what you’re doing to help me but I refuse—and I do mean refuse—to do that.” He waved a hand at the disgusting and disturbing task before him. “If your stupid-ass plan succeeds then you’ll be doing this a whole lot more than just this once, genius. So get to it.” His little sister snapped her fingers and pointed at the wiggling baby boy that lay on the changing table. Felix gagged at the smell wafting from the diaper. He gave Lena his saddest look. “Why are you doing this to me?” “Because you have to learn and if you think for 16

Nikki Winter one second that Paige is gonna birth your big headed babies and be saddled with the constant job of changing every diaper you’re in for a Texas sized disappointment down the line. Now,” Lena waved her hand towards baby Liam, “do what I showed you and do it quickly before he starts screaming.” He turned panicked eyes her way. “Screaming? Why would he scream?” “Well if your diaper was full of shit, needed to be changed and you had two adults perfectly capable of doing it but one of them was too scared to handle the small task when you knew and understood that they could, you’d scream too because you’d realize that was the only way to get the dumbass’ attention.” “You owe Abby’s swear jar like ten bucks.” Felix pointed out. Lena smirked. “I don’t see Abby around any—” Her words slowly stopped as her daughter scooted from under Liam’s crib—where she’d been hiding— and held out her jar with a wide grin, her golden eyes twinkling. In the sweetest little voice she said, “You owe me money, Ma. Ten bucks just like Uncle Felix said. I’ve been under there the whole time.” Lena scowled down at the miniature version of herself. “Your Daddy told you it was a good idea to 17

Sweet Seduction hide under there, didn’t he?” Abby’s grin got wider. “Yup and he gave me this too.” She reached under the crib and pulled out a small recorder that—Felix was guessing—would play back every cuss word Lena had let loose in the last twenty minutes. His sister’s jaw clenched before she reached into her pocket and pulled out a twenty. She dropped it in the jar and Abby frowned up at her. “That’s a twenty, Ma.” Lena gave a tight smile and said, “Keep the change because Mommy has some things she needs to say to Daddy.” She pointed at Liam. “Get to it Felix. I’ll be back.” Then she made her way out of the room bellowing, “Archer!” Felix looked down at his niece. “You just got your Daddy in a lot of trouble, baby girl.” Still she held that grin. “I know but I’m rich now!” He smiled back. “And that’s all that matters.” He stuck out his fist and waited for her to bump knuckles with him before he straightened and stared down at Liam’s face—which was getting redder by the second. “Go ahead and scream kid. I have a feeling after I open this diaper I’ll be screaming right along with you.” The small, bright grin his nephew gave probably 18

Nikki Winter should’ve been his first warning that something was really wrong.  “Sweet baby Joseph Johnson on a Christmas Sunday morning!” Lena stopped cussing Archer, after the bellow, long enough to watch Felix practically sprint from the nursery with Liam held out a good foot in front of him and diaper-less. Her brother looked two seconds away from hitting the floor. “Dude, green is so not your color,” Archer said. Felix simply handed over Liam to her and flipped his brother-in-law the bird. “That child,” he said pointing to the toddler “is not human. I don’t care what you say. Nothing human can produce what he did in that room.” He gestured towards the nursery. “I have seen some really disturbing shit in my day but that...that was just wrong!” Abby materialized with her jar held up towards her Uncle and one brow slightly raised. Felix’s jaw clenched as he took out a buck and stuffed it in the jar. “Little miser,” he muttered. Tossing a disgusted look at Liam, he shook his head. “And you...I hope they get you help for whatever your problem is kid.” Then he stormed pass them all and out the front door. 19

Sweet Seduction Archer looked at her. “See? I’m not the only one who feels that way about your son’s diaper changes.” She rolled her eyes. “Yeah but he didn’t faint.” “I keep telling you I got light headed and I had to sit down, dammit.” He growled. Lena waited for their baby girl to stick the jar out towards her father but she just stood there, counting the tens and twenties. “Um, little girl?” Abby’s eyes focused on her. “Yes, Ma?” “Your Daddy just cussed. Aren’t you gonna charge him?” Their daughter shrugged and answered, “Nope, he’s allowed. Uncle Felix says that cussing is the least he can do while married to you.” With that she flounced off and Lena had never wanted to stick her foot out and trip a kid more than she did right then. “Don’t you dare,” her husband said. “What? It’s not like she has far to fall. She’s only like three feet tall.” “Lena...” “Alright but I’m telling you I’m gonna start charging that kid rent.” Archer waved his hand. “Forget that. What’re you gonna do about Paige and Felix?” “Oh well, we have a plan.” One of his brows went up. “And that would be?” 20

Nikki Winter A slow smile formed when she retorted, “A nice family vacation that goes just a little bit wrong.”   Crazy female. Did Lena not know that he could give Paige more than enough incentive to change every diaper their kids would ever wear? Felix shook his head as he packed his suitcase. Even though their plan for him to get Paige was worth it, this would be the last time he asked his sister for a favor. He always had to pay her back in some life scarring way. And no he was not being dramatic even if he’d felt the need to run all one hundred yards to the house he’d had built on his and Archer’s ranch a year ago, just to escape! Felix zipped up the last of his suitcases. He’d have two weeks. Two weeks with his woman. Two weeks to convince her that she was in fact his woman and that she wouldn’t be able to fight it for too much longer. Two weeks to show Paige Matthews that she was everything to him. Every move she made, every time she smiled, every single little thing about her made him feel complete. She was intelligent and funny. Paige could be unconsciously sexy while performing the most innocent task, and had a light about her that managed 21

Sweet Seduction to shine brighter than anything he’d ever seen. The way she interacted with Abby and Liam always managed to make his pulse race. Seeing how much love she had for his parents and her devotion to Lena let him know exactly how beautiful, inside and out, she truly was. Valentine’s Day was fast approaching and if he played his cards right he could get the greatest present of all. But for right now, he just needed to take a hot shower and try to get the image of what was filling his nephew’s diaper out of his head.  Paige couldn’t wait to leave surgery; this year had been doubly hard on her practice. The drought sweeping the state wasn’t just hurting the legions of farmers, but ranchers were struggling to keep their animals on the positive end of the climate scale. She’d tended to more cattle that suffered from heat this year than she’d ever even dreamed was possible. The wild fires that had raged had luckily missed them but she’d been called in to treat animals that had migrated hundreds of miles to safety. Unfortunately, some of them brought sickness that could easily affect the native wild life as well as livestock. 22

Nikki Winter Winter in Texas wasn’t always the best season either but when the precipitation was still in the negative margins it made for a miserable winter. There had been no white Christmas, in fact she’d spent the day in shorts and flip flops. New Year’s Day had been blustery and a chill had frosted the air but the temperature hadn’t warranted much more than a light jacket. Two weeks in Whitefish, Montana with her best friend and god-children was exactly what the doctor ordered if she did say so herself. Not that Paige planned on learning anything about anything in Whitefish, Montana. All she planned to do was kick her feet up in front of the fireplace and teach her adorable minions the art of s’mores making and enjoy copious amounts of gourmet hot cocoa. She might throw in a snow angel or two just for shits and giggles, but mostly she was just going to hide out from Cupid’s apprentice, Felix, and catch up on the latest news from the back of her eyelids. At the thought of Felix, her very skin heated. If the man wasn’t so flipping persistent she’d maybe have given him a chance. But his utter absorption with everything ‘Paige’ had been driving her crazy since they were kids. When everyone else was teasing her, he was 23

Sweet Seduction winking at her. When everyone else was calling her names and picking on her in junior high, he was calling her beautiful and threatening to kick their asses. And when she blossomed into a woman and was heading out to college, he’d kissed her and spoiled her for any other man. The memory of that kiss set her thighs to trembling and caused her to miss-chew her gum, nearly severing her tongue with her incisors. “Dammit,” she muttered as she sucked on the small muscle to ease the sting. Her mind instantly went back to that summer day when Felix had suckled her tongue...grazing the roof of her mouth with his. Shaking the memories from her head, she leapt to her feet. Time to pack and get to the airport. Good thing she was leaving a day before everyone else... she could get to the cabin and dive butt naked into the snow, because she was sure it would take the onset of hypothermia to cool her desire and help her remember that she didn’t want any part of Felix Ramos and his devil tongue.  “What do you mean y’all missed your flight, how could you miss your flight?” Paige questioned finally making it through the doors of the cabin. 24

Nikki Winter “We were taking care of Liam. He was so sick and...” “So you mean to tell me you couldn’t call me before I got my black ass on a plane and flew to Whitefish, Montana that my godson was deathly ill and y’all weren’t going to make it?” Lena sighed from the other end of the phone, “Girl calm down he isn’t ‘deathly ill’, just ill and don’t worry you won’t be alone.” Her best friend stopped talking like she knew she’d just let something important slip. Paige froze, her whole body going rigid. What do you mean, he isn’t deathly ill you just said...wait...hold up what the hell do you mean I won’t be alone...?” Paige was almost sick to her stomach...she knew beyond a shadow of a doubt what Lena meant, she just couldn’t get her head to wrap around the thought that her best friend would set her up like this. “Dude, it was either this or listen to both of you whining about each other for the rest of my life...and remember when I told you pay back was a bitch?” “YOU NO GOOD DIRTY ROTTEN-” “Best sister-in-law you’ve ever had in your entire life,” Lena finished for her. “I am not letting him in here. There is no way 25

Sweet Seduction I’m letting that man share this cabin with me!” Paige declared. And she’d meant it... even when she heard the subtle clearing of a throat behind her... Closing her eyes, she slowly brought the phone to her chest and turned. There standing in nothing but a terry cloth towel that wasn’t big enough to hide half of one thigh let alone all of him, was what Cupid wished he could look like. Olive skin glistening with drops of water, dark hair still streaming rivulets down past his evil little, panty-melting smile and muscles twitching in ways that suggested his entire body was being rhythmically jolted by invisible electrodes. “Good God have mercy...” Paige muttered, her mouth suddenly feeling like it was full of cotton. Obviously she’d been falsely educated about the cold causing shrinkage because if that bulge just below the loosely tucked cotton grew any more, there was going to be a serious case of indecent exposure going on. “Okay, that’s my cue to hang up now... We sent you some cookies from Sweet Temptations but it sounds like you’ll be eating something else for lover’s day,” Lena’s voice was full of smugness. “Shut. Up.” Paige said to the air then realized 26

Nikki Winter she needed to lift the phone in order to speak to Lena. “Shut. Up.” She demanded again, but this time to the ringing laughter of her best (make that former best) friend and then the damning sound of the dial tone.  Felix stood leaning against the smooth pine of the door frame. He hadn’t actually heard Paige come into the cabin. He’d been too busy trying to tame his thirst for her in the shower. But he’d heard the moment she answered the phone and began shrieking her displeasure throughout the whole house. He didn’t think she’d be so upset about the thought of having the cabin all to herself for two weeks. He wrongly thought that after the busy year she’d had, she’d be looking forward to a little solitude. To be honest, he half expected Lena to pull out on their deal. He’d convinced himself he needed to ‘get a grip’ so to speak and prepare to spend two weeks entertaining his niece and that poop factory they kept telling him was his nephew while pining for the affection of one seriously hot doctor. He couldn’t help the smile that crept over his face as Lena was apparently filling Paige in on the fact 27

Sweet Seduction that he’d been invited to share their vacation.

28

In Order “No, no, no.” Paige shook her head as she backed far, far away from Felix. “Outta all the best friends I could’ve had as a kid, the one I chose just happened to be the devil?” She looked at the ceiling. “Shouldn’t you have intervened?” Felix’s lips curled as he stared at her. She looked so adorable stuffed in an over-sized parka, a Yukon hat pulled low on her head and her bright green eyes blinking at him. “I’ve been trying to tell you, my parents, Archer and anybody else who would listen that Lena was Satan from the day I met her but nobody would listen to poor old Felix. Now,” he waved a hand at himself. “These are the consequences.” Paige shook her head again. “No, these are the actions of a love child that could only be formed by Judas and Marcus Junius Brutus themselves,” She grabbed her bags and started for the front door. “And these are the steps of a woman getting the hell outta Dodge.” Felix didn’t vacate his spot as he leaned against the door frame and watched her as she quickly swung open the front door and started out. It closed behind 29

Sweet Seduction her with a soft click. “One...two...three...four...” He counted softly. The door swung back open as Paige tossed her bags inside, slammed it shut and leaned up against it, gasping for air. “Cold out there?” Felix questioned easily. “Where...what...blizzard...freaking blizzard...” She panted pointing to the door. “I haven’t been here that long and...and...” “We’re almost snowed in?” “Yes! What the hell?!” Shrugging, he replied, “It’s Montana, baby, a far cry from Texas.” He gave her the most innocent expression that he could. “Aw, sweetheart, you’re shivering. Want my towel?” Paige glared at him. “What the hell is a damp towel going to do for me?” Felix shrugged again. “I dunno. I just figured I’d give you first shot at trying to get me naked.” “I’ve been set up by the devil and left with her gate keeper.” Paige muttered rolling her eyes. “I know nothing about hell sweetheart but—” Holding up a hand, she interrupted him. “If you complete that line I’m going to make sure you don’t see sunrise tomorrow.” “So you plan on keeping me in bed late then?” 30

Nikki Winter With the cutest snarl he’d ever witnessed, Paige snatched up a bag and stomped past him checking through the four-bedroom cabin and choosing a room to settle into. He followed behind, trying desperately not to laugh. “This is such bullshit.” “Uh...Paige?” She slammed her suitcase down on the bed and started unloading it. “I can’t believe Lena would do this to me.” “Uh...Paige?” “After all the times I dug her ass outta trouble and she goes and sets me up the first chance she gets.” “Uh...Paige?” “Me! The one person who knows how to turn her face orange for a month, you would think—” “Paige!” Felix shouted. She swung around. “What? What? What?!” “Baby, I have no problem sharing dresser space with you but the left side already has my stuff in it.” Her eyes widened to the size of saucers as she looked around the bedroom that she’d been intently putting her things away in. Felix bit the inside of his cheek. Her jaw clenched as she shot a death glare his way. “This is your room?” 31

Sweet Seduction Rocking back on the balls of his feet, one hand still holding his towel up he answered with a bright, “Yes’m.” “And you let me put up half my shit without saying anything this whole time?” “Yes’m.” “I hate you.” He grinned long and hard. “I know baby, I know.” She was muttering angrily under her breath now, taking her stuff out and slamming them back into her suitcase. “Aw c’mon, batimentos cardíacos, what could you possibly lose sharing a room with me?” “My soul,” she answered in all seriousness. Not laughing was impossible. “Okay, so your ideal vacation has gone awry—” “Awry?” Paige cut in. “Awry? Really? No, something going awry is my hands wrapped around your throat. Awry is my going into that nice kitchen and finding a tool to do you in with. Awry is waiting for you to step out on the balcony and pushing you over. That’s awry. This shit right here is just wrong.” For once his little spitfire didn’t look so unruffled. She actually looked...panicked. Felix decided to put her mind at ease because the last thing 32

Nikki Winter he needed was to have her feeling like she couldn’t trust him. “Paige.” He said softly when she went back to taking her stuff out of his drawers. “What?” “You do know you have nothing to worry about with me right?” Stepping closer, he gently grabbed one of her hands, felt it shake and rubbed her wrist. “Right?” Her reply was so soft that he almost missed it...almost. “It’s not you who I don’t trust...”  She really wished he’d stop grinning like that. It was really starting to piss her off. Over an hour ago she’d stood in the man’s room, a few feet from his bed with him half naked and admitted in so many words that she was afraid that she’d jump him. Paige didn’t like that he could do that to her—make her lose control. In everything she did, she had control but once she got around Felix it was like it evaporated. That wasn’t a relationship she wanted or needed to be in. Letting her hormones lead her around was a very bad idea and she knew it. In any other relationship she’d been in, she could say no without hesitation. With him, if he asked she wanted to answer yes and 33

Sweet Seduction that scared the shit out of her. Now she was glowering at him as he made them dinner, something she had no choice but to let him do seeing as how she couldn’t cook worth a damn and she was starving. Watching Felix work in a kitchen was a far cry from boring, that was for sure. Every movement he made was fluent and slightly graceful but nowhere near feminine. When he turned and her eyes wandered to his ass in the well worn jeans he’d put on, she decided to distract herself. Offhandedly, she commented, “I’m amazed that I haven’t heard any smart-ass remarks about my inability to cook from you.” Felix smiled at her over his shoulder, creating slashes in his lean cheeks. “I grew up with a sister who couldn’t cook remember? I know not to mock.” She snorted. “Which begs the question as to how it worked out that you can?” He didn’t look at her when he answered, “Easy. I was fascinated with Mãe.” “Huh?” Chuckling, he said, “Mom. I was fascinated with Mom.” “Really? Why?” He took a few marinated strips of steak and 34

Nikki Winter placed them on the island’s grill, his eyes twinkling when he looked at her. “Well firstly, being that I hadn’t spent much time with my own mother before she passed, there weren’t many female influences around. Then all of a sudden here came this sweet-smiled woman with quick wit who didn’t hesitate to put a foot in Pop’s ass when he got out of line.” Paige found herself smiling. “Every time she talked to me, her voice was soft, gentle...maternal. She was just as beautiful on the inside as she was on the outside and everything she did or said to me made me feel like one of the most important people in the world.” He stared off at something she couldn’t see. “There were things I could go to her for advice about that I couldn’t with Pop without having him tease me. Mom listened. I can remember watching her cook dinner one day. I dunno what led me to the kitchen, maybe it was the music she was playing or the grin on her face but I wanted to be right there. She looked up and caught me in the doorway and instead of chasing me out like she always did Pop or Lena she waved me in, told me to wash my hands and put me to work. Right at that moment, I knew I was special because she let me into a place that nobody else had access to.” Focusing back on her, he continued. “I’m not 35

Sweet Seduction saying she picked me as her favorite but somehow she knew I needed that nurturing, that bond that I never got a chance to have. The same way Pops knew Lena needed it. So every chance I got, if Mom was in the kitchen, I was in there too.” Suddenly he grabbed an onion and sliced it expertly, grinning at her. “I just happened to pick up on a few tricks along the way.” Paige wanted to smile but it never quite reached her lips. She’d always wondered what it was like growing up in a household where two families had to mix and blend to become one. Paige’s life hadn’t been a fairytale in any way. She’d grown up watching her mother do everything in her power to make her father happy. That included giving him control over every aspect of her life. From career choices to what she wore out of the house every day, Sabrina Matthews had let Eric run her; period. If it didn’t make Eric happy then she didn’t do it. It was just the way they’d lived. Paige’s father had never raised his hand or his voice. He never had to, not when he had a woman more than willing to do anything to please him. For a long time Paige had thought it normal until she saw the way things worked outside of her small world; where love was always used as a bargaining chip. She’d never gotten used to people who openly 36

Nikki Winter showed affection. It just wasn’t done in her family. Emotions were locked away and unused until manipulation was involved. Once she reached middle school, Paige had simply become introverted, deciding that if she kept to herself then she wouldn’t be burned. Of course that had all changed the day she met Lena. Being that Paige was quiet she was an easy target. One day during physical education, an asshole-in-the-making decided that he didn’t like the way Paige ignored him so he was going to make her notice him. He wouldn’t leave her alone, kept calling her names, pulling on her hair, anything that he could do to get under her skin. That had quickly ended when twelve year old Lena Ramos tried to ram her gym shoes far enough up his ass to leave a Nike check on his tongue. Even after getting in trouble and having to explain why she did it, Lena never left Paige’s side. From there an unbreakable bond was formed. Lena’s home was the only place she found even a little normalcy and saw what a real family was like. Where there was compromise and true love. Mama Mona and Pop Alejandro hadn’t been anything but sweet to her. Hell, even Archer who had a reputation for being an asshole of extreme proportions handled her with kid gloves. And then there was Felix. There 37

Sweet Seduction wasn’t a day that went by where he wasn’t saying something sweet to her or trying to get her to smile. Over the years that she’d gotten to know him, really know him, she’d discovered things that never failed to amaze her. He had one of the purest hearts she’d ever encountered. He loved the simplest things. She could remember the day he’d tricked her into going to the state fair with him and dragged her around trying to win something for her. Her mind briefly flashed back to the almost six foot teddy bear at home in her bed—then said mind replaced that teddy bear with Felix…naked… “Earth to Paige.” Felix interrupted her train of thought, waving a hand in her face. She snapped out of it and looked at him. His look went from playfulness to concern in a few seconds. “Where’d you go?” Shaking her head, she leaned back in her seat. Therein lay the problem. Her mind always went places it wasn’t supposed to go around him. She was supposed to be able to keep a lock on her emotions and what was between her legs. Felix seemed to have the key to both. “Nowhere. Just thinking.” Felix didn’t stop watching her. “What?” His stare was having that effect again, making her warm all over. God, the things this man 38

Nikki Winter did to her. It scared her, scared her a lot. He leaned across the counter, his gaze now focused on her lips. He licked his own and her response was to do the same, when he groaned softly and got close enough to kiss her, she snapped out of it. Paige backed away and turned from Felix’s frown as she headed out of the kitchen. “I’m tired. I think I’m gonna go lay down for a while.” Then she was running away, ignoring Felix as he called her name.  “What did you do?” Lena demanded from the other end of the phone. Felix stood in the hallway a few feet from Paige’s room door, unable to hear any activity inside. She’d disappeared hours ago and he hadn’t heard the slightest peep. That line about being tired was bullshit—that much he knew. “Me?” he said, “I didn’t do anything. We were talking about our parents and—” “C’mon Felix. You know good and damned well the very last thing you want to mention to Paige is her parents.” Lena groaned, cutting him off. Running a hand through his hair he started 39

Sweet Seduction pacing. “I didn’t mean to bring it up. She asked me about Mom and I started talking and before I knew it she was taking off.” Felix knew the story and dynamics between Paige’s parents but it was only after he pried it out of his little sister with blackmail. “You know,” Felix said, “I’m surprised you took this long to tell me being that your mouth runs like tap water.” “Lies! I’m the gatekeeper of secrets!” “Um...wait...Is this coming from the very person who swore on the shiny new chrome wheels of her first Mustang that she wouldn’t tell Paige I had a framed picture of her on my dresser then sung like a Baptist choir in the south on Sunday morning the first chance she got?” There was silence and then, “I would’ve found the framed picture sweet and endearing had you not stole it outta my spring break album and Paige wasn’t wearing that bikini.” “I was drawn to how happy she looked.” “You’re a liar and a raunchy pervert.” Felix rolled his eyes. “And you’re evil incarnate but we’re not supposed to be pointing out facts and examples.” “Felix just...don’t give up on her, okay?” “I haven’t in the twenty something years I’ve 40

Nikki Winter known her and I don’t plan on doing it now.” “Good. Now I have to go, your brother-in-law just walked in the room from giving the kids a bath.” Wincing, he asked, “Is he in the fetal position...again?” “No, he’s just kind of staring at the wall and shaking his head...Oh Archer, get up off the floor, it can’t be that bad.” Felix kept laughing, even when she hung up on him. His gaze went back to Paige’s door. He needed to get his shit together and fast before he started losing ground with her.

41

To Get She hadn’t meant to do it. She’d been minding her damn business, looking through the double door fridge, trying to find the leftovers from dinner when he’d scared the shit out of her. Sadly, that resulted in Paige picking up the cutting board in the middle of the kitchen island and knocking Felix on his ass. Now she was listening to him moan while she held a bag of frozen peas to his head. “Oh my face...my adorably roguish face...” Paige rolled her eyes and slapped away his hands so she could move the bag to his forehead. “Stop with the whining already.” “I can’t. You ruined what was once beautifully made! Now what am I supposed to do? I’ll spend my days alone and deformed occasionally finding joy in scaring small children with my hideous appearance!” Staring down at him, she really had to resist the urge to hit him with the cutting board again. He did look rather pathetic though with that cut over his left eye starting to turn red and swell. “The most you’ll have is a little scar to mar your so-called ‘perfection.’” She stated drolly. 42

Nikki Winter Felix gasped like she’d just admitted to fellating one of his ranch hands behind the barn. “Scar? Did you just say scar?” Suddenly, he gripped her around the waist and buried his face in her chest, snuggling deep. “This is too much for me to take. I...I need to be held.” “Felix—” He fully stuck his head inside the gape in the front of her robe. “Hmmm, you’re not wearing a bra. That’s okay I never liked that lace stuff against my face, makes it all itchy, yah know?” Inhaling deeply, he sighed. “Nothing like skin to skin contact.” “Felix—” “Shhh, you’re supposed to be helping me come to terms with the monstrous appearance I now have seeing as how it’s all your fault.” “Felix—” “Paige do you not understand the meaning of quiet comfort? Sometimes all a person needs is to be held, no words spoken.” The tip of his nose brushed her nipple, his voice now muffled as he spoke. Her whole body shuddered. “I’m feeling better already.” Desire like she’d never known almost made Paige give in to any and everything Felix ever wanted...almost. That, of course, was enough to scare the hell out of her so when his lips made contact with 43

Sweet Seduction her collarbone she jerked back as fast as she could. Unfortunately, that caused Felix to roll out of her lap like a ball and his head hit the floor with a solid thump. Paige winced and he grimaced. “You wanna add brain damage to the list of things you’ve done to me today?” He sat up and rubbed the back of his head. “Sorry. Here.” She tossed him the bag of peas and watched them smack him in the face. They both groaned. Pulling her robe fully closed, Paige buried her face into her hands. “Felix—” “If you’re gonna hurt me shouldn’t I be wearing a collar and calling you ‘Mistress’?” She couldn’t help it, that first snort slipped out and after that, laughing was inevitable. Before she knew it, they were both on their sides. “I’m sorry,” Paige gasped. “I swear I’m not doing it on purpose.” He just grinned as he sat up. “I’ll believe it when the throbbing in my head and my cock stops.” Her eyes drifted to the very noticeable bulge in his pajama bottoms. Biting her lip, she asked, “Want another bag of peas?” It was better than saying, “Can I have it? Please, please, please?” Smirking, he answered, “It wouldn’t help...trust me.” 44

Nikki Winter Paige sucked down a deep breath and stood. She knew what would help, lots and lots of…No, no, no. She couldn’t go there. Bed time tango wasn’t her forte. Past experience had more than taught her that. “And on that note, I’m going back to bed.” Felix was off the floor in seconds and grabbing her hand. “Oh no you don’t. You haven’t eaten all day and I’ll be damned if I watch you go back to bed hungry.” He led her to her original spot at the kitchen island and headed to the fridge. Paige watched the corded muscles in his back bunch with every move he made as he took out a foil wrapped plate and turned on the oven. She rubbed her thighs together to ease the ache that had formed between them. He set the plate inside and set the timer before sitting across from her and placing the bag of peas back to his forehead. She winced again. “Does it hurt?” “Only when I do this.” He made a funny face that pulled a chuckle out of her. His smile was wide and bright. “I’m sorry I spooked you.” “Why were you down here, skulking around anyway?” “I don’t skulk. I’m simply light and stealthy on my feet.” 45

Sweet Seduction “Dude, you weigh over two hundred and fifty pounds yet you move like a kitten. That’s skulking.” “I have plenty of other skills that I’d be more than glad to show you.” He waggled his brows then moaned. That’s when Paige got up and went around the island to him, gripping his face between her hands. “I think I might’ve given you a concussion.” “Really? And where’d that deductive reasoning come in Dr. Matthews? Before or after you almost knocked my head off my shoulders?” She narrowed her eyes at him. “If I didn’t do it already I can make it happen, you know that right?” His eyes twinkled. “You’re so cute when you’re threatening me. You get this little line right here.” Reaching up he smoothed his thumb between her eyebrows. She didn’t back away from his touch. His hands were amazing, so gentle despite the fact that he worked with them all day in the roughest conditions. Paige’s breath faltered as he cupped her cheek and drew her head nearer to his. He licked his lips and she mimicked the action. One taste couldn’t hurt, right? It stood to reason that Felix had kissed her more than enough over the years that she knew his mouth almost as intimately as she knew her own so one more kiss wouldn’t be her downfall would it? Even as the thought crossed her mind, she knew 46

Nikki Winter it was a lie. This kiss wouldn’t be like any of the others; the ones that Felix stole at every opportunity—the rushed pressing of his lips to hers before he pulled away and ran off. No, the moment he brushed his mouth across hers, softly, gently, she knew she was in trouble. Lots and lots of trouble.  The concussion was worth it as far as he was concerned dammit. He had Paige pliant in his arms, kissing him back without resistance, without complaint, without trying to knee him in the balls. If all it took to get here was getting mild head trauma, well, Felix would’ve done it long ago. He’d been pacing the floors of his room, unable to sleep when he’d heard her creeping down the stairs. Figuring she’d be hungry and heading for the kitchen, he followed and boy was he glad he did. Halfway bent over into the double doors, her luscious ass barely covered by the robe she was wearing, Paige had been a welcome sight. It was just a little crappy that he’d almost lost said sight when she swung that cutting board at him. Honestly, Felix could admit that he probably deserved it for sneaking up on her but the woman had no clue what she did to him. 47

Sweet Seduction When her tongue rubbed against his, he dropped the frozen peas and wrapped his arms around her, bringing her flush against him. Damned if every inch of her soft, beautifully formed body didn’t feel good against his. Her fingertips ran through his scalp, lightly scratching as a whimper left her mouth. Felix’s palms burned a trail from her back to her ass, squeezing and kneading both halves as he lifted her from the floor to straddle him. Standing from the stool, his placed her on the counter top and nipped her lips then her chin. He pressed kisses to her throat, enjoying the way her thighs clenched around his waist every time he sucked her neck. His hand fumbled to get the belt of her robe untied and he let out a triumphant grunt when it finally opened—revealing that she’d only been wearing tiny lace panties and nothing else underneath. Felix’s groan joined hers when he latched onto a taught nipple and sucked until it hit the roof of his mouth. Paige’s back arched, pushing her groin into his. One of his hands released her waist and traveled down past her tummy to the seat of her underwear. Feeling the warm moisture there, he pressed his thumb against her clit and rubbed it through the fabric, listening to her gasp of pleasure. He switched nipples at the same time as he moved the lace to the 48

Nikki Winter side and slid his middle finger between her folds and inside of what surely had to be the gates of Heaven. Paige tugged his hair until he let go of her breast and latched onto her mouth again, kissing him as she shook uncontrollably. She rode his hand without hesitation, taking what he was willingly offering— nirvana. Suddenly, it wasn’t enough for either of them. Her palms seared his skin as they made their way down his back, every touch igniting a new pleasure point inside him as they tugged at his pajama bottoms until his cock sprung free. Felix ripped the side of her panties and tossed them over his shoulder, intent of getting inside her. Their first time wouldn’t be slow or romantic but he’d make up for it later. He just needed her. Now. The head of his dick brushed her wet folds and they both gasped for air like oxygen had been sucked from the room. He was there, more than ready...And that’s when the alarm on the stove rang. Paige jerked back so hard, she almost flipped over the counter. Catching her by the waist, he bought her back over to him but she wiggled out of his arms, closing her robe. “Shit, shit, shit...” She jumped down and grabbed her panties. “Paige...wait...” 49

Sweet Seduction As he knew she would, she ran, and kept on running until he heard her door slam. Felix popped himself in the forehead and ran a frustrated hand through his hair. “This is all your fault. See what happens when I listen to you?” He fussed staring down at his cock. Sighing, he pulled his pants up and turned off the stove alarm before getting Paige’s food out. What bothered him the most was that after all that, she still hadn’t eaten.

50

What You Need Three days. Paige had purposely stayed in her room for three days. What happened a few nights ago had shook her to the core but she was sure that if she didn’t come out of her room, Felix was coming in. Seeing as how that might very well result in them going so much further, Paige decided to come out. Sighing, she grabbed a thick pair of socks and boots to put on with her sweater and jeans before venturing out of her room. She needed coffee and a little fresh air. Just when she stepped out into the hallway her phone started buzzing in her pocket. She knew who it was before she even looked at the screen. “When I get back to Texas, I’m beating you beyond recognition. By the time I get done, you’re gonna look like you just stepped off an extreme makeover show.” Paige said without hesitation. “Well at least somebody wants to touch me.” Lena muttered from the other side of the phone. Paige continued to the kitchen. “What’re you talking about?” “The asshole.” “Uh...I thought we discussed this, Lena. You’re 51

Sweet Seduction supposed to call him Archer or your husband but no mean names.” “The asshole deserves it.” “And exactly what did he do this time? Faint during one of Liam’s diaper changes...again?” Lena snorted. “He swears up and down that he was lightheaded from lack of food and needed to sit down.” Paige grinned as she finally reached the kitchen, ignoring Felix as he ate breakfast at the center island. “That’s because that’s the only way he can describe it and hold onto his balls.” “Yeah well, he’d have me to do that for him if he’d just cooperate.” Paige froze as she reached for a mug. “Okay, I think we just crossed a pivotal line in the sand on the boundaries of our friendship. Yet, I’m intrigued so I need you to explain that statement.” “Paige my marriage has all of a sudden become sex-less.” She took the phone away from her ear and stared down at it for a few seconds before bringing it back. “Come again?” “See? That’s the problem right now. Nobody’s coming...period.” “So you’re telling me, the man who managed to 52

Nikki Winter fuck you through the couch—with a broken leg and sprained wrist—has suddenly grown a steel chastity belt?” Felix sounded like he was about to choke on the omelet he was chewing but Paige just kept on talking. “That’s exactly what I’m telling you, just make that steel titanium and you see where my frustration is stemming from.” “But…but...but this is Archer we’re talking about. He-man, cro-magnon, Tarzan incarnate. The only time he ever gave you a rest from being over, under, or bent over in front of him was the six weeks you had to wait after my precious little merchants of evil were born.” From the corner of her eye she saw Felix toss up his hands while gagging as he threw the rest of his breakfast away. She had to fully turn away just to stop herself from laughing. “Yes, I know who he is,” Lena was saying. “Which is why I also wanna know where that Archer went.” “Maybe he’s having some...issues?” Paige said. “Nope. Not even that. Dude almost put a hole in my stomach this morning when I rolled over to face him in bed.” “And the line has been crossed....” Paige murmured. 53

Sweet Seduction Lena sighed. “I can’t figure it out. Is it me? Has my charm somehow dimmed? Am I no longer the woman of his dreams?” “If you added just a little more drama to your tone I could actually believe that’s what you’re feeling.” “I know. I’m really working on my acting skills. Hey! Maybe a few tears and some sniffles will do it.” Paige chuckled. “Maybe. Why don’t you go try then call me back with the results?” “Oh don’t even try it. I wanna know how things have been going between you and Satan’s personal assistant.” “You guys have the cutest nicknames for each other.” Paige stated, dryly, turning around to finally look in Felix’s direction again. His dark eyes stalked her every move so she stood stock still—feeling like a hare when it knew a fox was close by, watching for the perfect moment to strike. His gaze ran over her in a slow assessment, one side of his mouth kicking up when his eyes stopped at the apex of her thighs. Wait…could he actually hear her clit thumping in time with the sudden jolt in her pulse? Thump…thump…thump… That was not good and from the way he’d started 54

Nikki Winter grinning from ear to ear she’d bet her last dollar the big bastard knew exactly what he was doing to her; especially after the other night when they’d had their hands all over each other. “Okay, so it just got extremely quiet over there which means I’m sitting on the phone with you while you have some type of dirty stare down with my brother...that’s nasty.” Lena said from the other end of the phone. “Well you stuck me here with him so...” Paige answered as Felix got closer. “Yeah, but right now we’re discussing my problems and—” Lena’s tirade was interrupted when Felix took the phone from her and said, “She’ll call you back,” before hanging up on his sister. “That,” Paige said softly “was rude.” He shook his dark head as he pinned her in with his arms on either side of her, causing her to lean back on the counter. “No, baby, what’s rude is camping out in your room for three days and avoiding me.” “I...wasn’t...” “You almost choked on that lie, sweetheart, careful.” She glared up at him. “I’m on vacation, if I wanna camp out in my room I can. As a matter of fact 55

Sweet Seduction I think I’ll do so right now. Maybe I’ll stay there until either the weather clears or it’s time to go home. Who knows?” She started to go around him but Felix snatched her to him so fast that her breath left her in a whoosh. “Try. Again.” He growled. “If you’re gonna camp out in a room, it’s gonna be in my room, in bed, with me.” Good God the way those words left his mouth had the muscles in her thighs tingling along with other places. Irritated, Paige snapped, “What is it with you?” His brows lifted but he didn’t respond. “Can you not take rejection?” This time when he spoke there was a smug smile firmly in place. “Sweetheart, I can take rejection just fine. What I can’t take is you lying to yourself and me too.”  Oh, she didn’t like that. Not even in the slightest. Felix could tell from the way her jaw flexed she was about to tell him to fuck off, but she held it in. Her chest rose and fell with a deep breath before she lied again. “I don’t want you Felix.” He smirked and moved closer to her. Nuzzling 56

Nikki Winter her throat, he pressed his lips to her ear and whispered, “I could believe that baby if I hadn’t heard that little hitch in your breathing or seen the way you clenched your thighs together. Then there’s the small fact that every time I move like this,” He gently brushed his chest across hers. “I know your nipples are hard. And let’s not forget the other night when I was close to fucking you hard enough that you wouldn’t have had the energy to argue with whatever I wanted from you.” Felix kissed the hammering pulse in her neck and asked, “So, what is it you’re really running from here Paige? Me? Or the fact that you’re scared shitless that you want me?” He pulled back when she didn’t respond. Her eyes were closed and she was pulling in small sips of air through her mouth. Control. She was trying to gain control again. One side of Felix’s mouth kicked up as a thought occurred. “Paige?” She looked at him. “We’re here for another week and a half. You want me out of your hair? Give me this time and when we leave if you don’t want to continue whatever it is we have here then I’ll walk away and leave you be.” He was lying through his teeth. He’d fight for Paige until he couldn’t do it anymore but he needed her to think 57

Sweet Seduction she had the one thing she valued the most here, control over what was between them. Her eyes widened and Felix ran his index finger down the side of her face. “Think about it.” Kissing the tip of her nose, he stepped back and walked away.   “We’re here for another week and a half. You want me out of your hair? Give me this time and when we leave if you don’t want to continue whatever it is we have here then I’ll walk away and leave you be.” Those words had resonated in Paige’s every waking move since Felix had walked away from her in the kitchen this morning. She kept waiting for him to come and find her, to push her past her limit until she gave in but he’d kept his distance all day. The only time he’d come out of his room was to make sure she’d eaten and that was it. Other than that, she hadn’t seen him and it was driving her crazy. He’d officially left the ball in her court but she didn’t know how to play. She’d been lying to the both of them when she said she didn’t want Felix but then again, it had been half the truth. She didn’t just want him, she needed him. His goofy sense of humor, over 58

Nikki Winter protective nature, his nurturing, his love…Paige stopped pacing her room. His love. Closing her eyes for a moment, she tried her damndest to stop her heart from hammering in her chest. The one thing she needed she couldn’t have because if she gave it back she might give too much. “So what do I do now?” Go get him. Her mind whispered. She sighed. A week and a half. Paige could stay locked in her room for that time or she could have a little happiness until it came to an end. She wouldn’t go any further with Felix but she could enjoy him while they were here and go back to their normal lives once it was done. Liar, liar. Her heart mocked but she ignored it. A week and a half. She’d give him that and then be done with it.

59

You Have To Use Waiting was killing him. For every moment that he sat in his room, wondering if she’d come to him, he was dying a little inside. What if she’d already made her choice? What if his hope was all for nothing because Paige really didn’t want to be with him? What if… The soft knock on Felix’s door stopped his last mental question. He was up and off his bed almost before his brain could really give the command to his legs. When he swung open his door, Paige was there, staring up at him with the most hesitant look on her face, nibbling her bottom lip. Felix forced himself to take a deep breath and relax. He leaned one shoulder into the doorway and gave her a small smile. “Hi.” One side of her mouth kicked up, her green eyes twinkling just a little. “Hi.” They stood just like that for what felt like hours instead of seconds. He traced her features with his gaze like he’d done so many times over the years, knowing every curve of her face; from the small dimple in her chin to the slightly slanted lift of her 60

Nikki Winter eyes. Damn, she was beautiful. And for the rest of their time here, she was his. Once this was said and done he’d go after her harder than he’d ever done, refusing her the right to run because he’d be done doing things her way. No, he’d lay claim to her body now and finally be able to climb the mountain that was her resistance and place his flag there because Paige Matthews was his. Giving her the few moments that he knew she needed, Felix finally stuck out his hand and waited for her to take it. As soon as she did, he intertwined their fingers and pulled her into his chest. He’d waited a full ten years for this moment; nobody else in that span of time had ever been able to make him feel the way she could. Celibacy might’ve been harder if he would’ve found himself drawn to anyone but her, yet that was never the case. And considering how much he loved her, Paige was more than worth the wait. “Felix—” Oh. Not. Even. He was past the point of talking and it was about time he showed her that. Before whatever she was about to say could leave her mouth, he slanted his lips over hers and devoured the moan that left her throat. Backing up, he pressed his foot into the door and kicked it closed as he got closer to his bed. 61

Sweet Seduction Felix’s tongue tangled with Paige’s causing a shudder to rack his body as her soft hands found their way to his hair, raked through the locks that he’d meant to cut shorter weeks ago. Now he wasn’t so sure, her touch felt too good combing through his scalp. His cock thumped against the zipper of his jeans with every light scratch of her nails. When one hand ventured from his scalp, down his neck and scraped over the muscles in his shoulders, it felt like electricity had shot up his spine. Somehow she knew exactly how to touch him and with every caress he fell deeper. Felix broke the kiss and tried to draw in a normal breath as he stared her directly in the eyes and reached down to grasp the hem of her sweater. Maintaining eye contact he slowly pulled it up and over her head, tossing it to the floor. Paige’s hands smoothed from his back to his waist and then up his chest under his t-shirt before she repeated his act. Leaning down, he trailed his lips from hers to her jaw before pressing light nips and kisses to her throat, enjoying every shiver her body gave at the contact of his mouth on her beautiful skin. He kept a palm pressed to the dip in her back as his other hand unhooked the back of her lacey bra and tugged it off to join her sweater on the floor. 62

Nikki Winter He heard it when her breath stuttered as he palmed one of her breasts and rolled her nipple between his thumb and forefinger. His name came out in a breathless whisper as the hand he’d previously placed to the dip in her back, blazed a trailed downwards until he had a hand full of her ass; the ass that he’d been watching since adolescence. The same ass that had played many parts in his fantasies for years. Felix nuzzled the top of her head when she dipped it to kiss his Adam’s apple. He gulped when her teeth lightly bit down and she soothed the sting away. Capturing her mouth again, he nipped her bottom lip and tugged before sucking it into his mouth. When he let go, she took over the kiss as her hands made their way to the belt on his jeans and unbuckled it, her nimble fingers unzipping him without hurting him. She eased that hand past the waistband and ran her palm across his length. Air seized in his lungs when Paige finally got past the barrier of his briefs and gripped his cock in her hand. When her thumb rubbed across the head before she gave one good stroke, he knew he had to stop her before he forgot that he wasn’t supposed to just throw her on the bed and fuck her into oblivion. Finally, he released her lips and grasped the 63

Sweet Seduction hand stroking him so good that his stomach had clenched at every touch. He took both her hands and placed them behind her back. “Keep ’em there.” “Felix—” He kissed her until she was breathless, her chest heaving as she tried to draw a normal breath. “Keep. Them. There.” He demanded again. Paige bit her bottom lip but didn’t argue. He didn’t gloat on her surrender, just dropped to his knees in front of her, taking in the expanse of toffee colored skin before him. It was like the playground he’d always wanted; so many curves and dips that he didn’t know where he should start first. Then his eyes focused on her dark chocolate nipples, the areolas full and ripe just begging for his tongue. Felix didn’t hesitate. He pulled one into his mouth and sucked until her knees just about gave out. One arm came around her waist to catch her. “Felix!” He hummed against the nipple in his mouth, flicking the tip of his tongue back and forth against the tight bud until nothing but groans were dredged up from Paige’s throat. He let go and switched as his other hand came up to undo her jeans and pull them down until they pooled at her ankles. She stepped out of them and kicked them to the side. Felix delved into 64

Nikki Winter her panties and felt the cream that had gathered on the lips of her pussy. His eyes slammed shut as he once again resisted the urge to bend her over and give them both what they’d been dancing around for so long. Pulling back, he stared up at Paige’s face. Her kiss swollen lips were slightly parted as she drew in shallow breaths, her eyes half-mast when she looked back at him. Swirling his tongue around her belly button, Felix used his middle finger to rub her clit in slow circles. Her hips jerked forward. “Ahhhh…” “Oh baby,” Felix crooned. “Is all this for me?” Paige didn’t answer nor did her hips stop moving with every brush of his digit against the small bundle of nerves. “I can’t hear you, sweetheart. Is all this for me?” He asked again. She nodded jerkily and he shook his head. “Unhunh. I wanna hear you say it. Say, ‘Yes, Felix my pussy is creaming for you.’” Drawing in a deep breath, she dutifully repeated what he said and his dick jumped. He licked a path from her navel down to her bikini line. “Ohhh…Felix…please…” “Please what batimentos cardíacos? Tell me what you want,” he whispered in between teasing flicks of his tongue. 65

Sweet Seduction Paige panted. “I want…I want…” “Go ahead, baby. Tell me.” He urged, gripping the edge of her panties between his teeth and tugging. “I want you to lick me,” she answered softly and he chuckled deviously. “I am licking you.” Felix retorted. She paused and he could tell she was struggling with voicing what she really wanted. He let go of her panties and looked up at her again. “It’s just you and me in this room, Paige. Anything that you want me to do, all you have to do is ask. So tell me where you want me to lick you.” He watched the muscles in her stomach clench when she finally said, “My pussy.” All too happy to oblige, Felix finally stopped toying with her and tore her panties away before easing his tongue between the folds of her labia and delving into her canal. Her hips rocked forward as she cried out and he gripped her ass to spread her legs further apart so he could go deeper. Paige ground into his face when he wrapped his lips around her clit and sucked until he felt her shaking. He ignored it when she disobeyed his earlier command and brought her hands around to press his mouth tighter to her. “Felix…Felix…Felix…” She chanted over and 66

Nikki Winter over again. He didn’t stop tonguing her for a second even when those first and second orgasms crashed over her. He tunneled two fingers inside her and curled them upwards until he found the spot he was looking for. Paige came, screaming his name this time, and he couldn’t stop himself from doing what he did next.  Was she supposed to be seeing stars? Yes? No? Maybe? Paige didn’t have the slightest clue and damned if she cared because right about now if Felix asked her to sing “Star Spangled Banner” and twirl a baton she would if it meant he’d make her climax like that again. She felt herself being lifted before her back hit his pillow top mattress and his body blanketed hers. Everywhere her hands could reach, Paige touched. It was all so gorgeous. The deep olive skin, the expanse of contracting muscles, the scars; every bit of it made her happy to be a woman, especially when she felt the part of him that mattered the most probing her opening. “Look at me, baby,” Felix rasped, his dark eyes focused directly on her face as he rubbed the head of 67

Sweet Seduction his cock against her clit. “There’s been no one else since the day I kissed you.” He rubbed his nose against hers. “Understand?” She nodded, knowing what he meant and feeling a tug in her heart that he would tell her that. Somehow she wasn’t surprised, but was still elated that he’d waited this long just to be with her. “Me either.” She whispered back and watched as the words registered for him. He pressed his lips to her forehead, her eyelids, her nose and then finally to her lips, letting her taste herself as he slowly eased his cockhead into her. The stretch burned a bit but felt so natural that she didn’t want him to stop. She gripped his shoulders and lifted her hips, urging him on as she stared at how his jaw clenched. “Don’t hold back Felix, please,” she pleaded. Paige needed this, needed him. Even if it were for a short while, being connected to this man would be the greatest few days of her life. She wanted all of him because when this was over she’d have to give it all up. “I don’t want to hurt you,” he panted against her throat. Paige lifted her legs and spread them wide, causing him to sink deeper as she wrapped them around his waist, locking her heels just underneath his 68

Nikki Winter ass. “Paige…” Felix warned but she was tired of talking. With one good lift of her hips, she impaled herself completely on his cock and lights danced behind her closed lids. “Jesus…” she groaned. “Fuck…” he grunted and wrapped his arms around her, holding her tight before his hips began to move in a frantic pace as he pounded into her body. “I’m sorry baby… I can’t… it’ll be slower… later… promise…” he babbled into her hair, but Paige wasn’t listening. She was too focused on the waves of pleasure that shot up her spine with every thrust of his hips. “Oh God…Felix…” He gripped her harder, his harsh bursts of breath hot against her neck. Paige reached down to grip his ass, feeling the muscles move under her fingertips as he thrust harder and harder almost to the point of fucking her halfway across the bed. She clawed at his back as tears crested on her lashes. “So good…so good…so good…ahhh…” Fire danced in her womb as her back arched off the mattress. “Are you about to come, Paige? Hmm baby?” He rotated his hips one way and then the other, the base 69

Sweet Seduction of his dick rubbing against her clit as the tip rubbed against her g-spot. At that point Paige didn’t know if she was going or coming, the pleasure was too intense. “Ah…Felix…Please…” A whimper left her mouth. “Please what baby? What do you want?” Felix growled in her ear then nipped the lobe. She moaned. “Need…to…come…” He sat back on his haunches but didn’t leave her body. Gripping her legs, he unwrapped them from his waist and lifted them into the air, spreading them wide to form a perfect V as he fucked her, his cock still delivering punishing strokes. “Say it again, baby. Tell me what you need,” he rasped. Paige gripped the comforter, her hands trying to find some type of leverage as euphoria dangled on the horizon. “I need to come!” “Done,” Felix growled before he reached down and pinched her clit sending her spiraling into the abyss that was her climax. Paige’s throat went hoarse when she called out his name once again as her body seized in spasms that caused her to almost swallow her tongue. Somewhere in the distance, she heard his roar of release before she began to float to earth again. 70

Nikki Winter  Panting from exertion of the best kind, Felix kissed the insides of Paige’s ankles and let her legs down. She moved and he grunted, “Unh-unh. Stay still.” When she stopped he gently pulled out of the welcoming warmth that was her body. Stumbling from the bed, he made his way into the bathroom and found a clean cloth. He cleaned himself first then found another and doused it in warm water. Walking on shaky legs back to Paige, he gently cleaned her, knowing she’d probably be sore in the morning. She sighed but didn’t make a move or open her eyes. Felix took the cloth back into the bathroom to dump it in the hamper and gathered all his strength to make it back to his bed where the love of his life was fast asleep. A sweet smile played along the corners of her lush mouth, one hand fisted under her cheek as she dozed on her side. Grinning broadly, Felix turned off the lights and climbed into bed beside her. Pulling the duvet over them, he tugged her to his chest until she rested comfortably against him and kissed her forehead. “I love you. More than you’ll ever know,” he whispered against her hair. He didn’t expect a response and the 71

Sweet Seduction way she snuggled into him tighter was enough for him to close his eyes and drift off into the most contented sleep he’d ever had.

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Methods Of “Don’t. Move.” The whispered words sent a blaze of heat from the top of Paige’s head to the bottoms of her feet as soon as they left Felix’s lips. He had her bent over the family room sofa, her hands tightly gripping the leather as he held her hips still, his cock pulsing inside of her. Paige gritted her teeth when he pulled out and with torturously slow movement pushed back in so deep that she felt the air still in her lungs for a moment. He’d been tormenting her like this for an hour now. Every time she was on the edge of a cresting climax he’d pull back and make her wait just to build the heat all over again. When they were done, and she managed to be able to walk upright again, she would kill him for toying with her. “Felix…” she growled and he chuckled, the deep rumble of laughter vibrating through his chest as he pressed it to her back. “Yes, baby?” “If you don’t stop playing around, I’m gonna call Lena and find the best method of inhumane torture to end you.” 73

Sweet Seduction “Aww baby, how am I playing around? By doing this?” Once again he pulled his cock out until nothing but the tip remained then shoved back in with so much force that Paige gasped. “Oh…God…” “Or by doing this?” He gave her two sharp thrusts that caused her back to arch as she got up on her tippy toes just to meet them. Paige almost sighed. Apparently, walking around in his t-shirt with no panties had been more than enough invitation for punishment—even though it had been the big bastard’s idea that she walk around like that in the first place. Her jaw clenched as she bit back a moan when one large rough palm covered one of her breasts and pinched a nipple, sending electricity zinging right to her clit. Felix groaned. “Oh sweetheart when I do this,” He pinched her other nipple and a sound close to a whimper left him, “Your pussy squeezes me so hard.” Paige’s breath caught when he did it again and she couldn’t take it anymore. She moved her hips backwards, pumping herself onto his length. Felix hissed and smacked her on the ass before stilling her jerky movements. “Unh-unh. What did I say?” 74

Nikki Winter Practically sobbing his name she tried to move again but he held her still. “Felix, please.” His palm came down on her ass again, causing fire to dance between her legs. “What. Did. I. Say?” She whimpered, her eyes slamming shut. “Not to move…you told me not to move…” “So why did you do it anyway?” He spread her legs a little further apart, palming both halves of her behind and thrusting deeper. “Ah…” “Why did you move when I told you not to Paige?” Felix questioned again, reaching down to rub her clit in slow circles. “Tell me and I might finally give you what you want.” “Because…because…” She couldn’t think when he played with her like that. They’d spent at least three days in bed after their first time and she still couldn’t get enough of his touch. Every brush of his fingertips across her skin ignited nothing but need. Every kiss made her feel like she was high on oblivion and every whispered word felt like a thousand little caresses. Felix had her wide open; figuratively and literally. “Because what batimentos cardíacos?” Oh God, why did he have to whisper that? He knew what it did every time he whispered that. Paige felt an orgasm cresting just from those words alone. 75

Sweet Seduction “Because I need to come.” His laughter was low and teasing. “And what do you need in order for you to come?” She paused. He always did that, made her say specifically what she needed before he gave it to her. “Say it,” he purred and her pussy clenched. “I need you to fuck me…hard…now…please…” Paige panted, finally giving in. The last words hadn’t even left her mouth before he gripped her hips and straightened himself to pull out then slam back in. Every thrust of his hips sent her closer to coming. She pushed back as he pushed forward her breath coming out in shallow puffs every time he entered her. The growls he emitted turned her on just as much as his movements and when he pressed his chest to her back once again to whisper, “Come” she did, obediently shattering into a million tiny pieces.  Felix intertwined his fingers with Paige’s, marveling at how small her hand was compared to his own. Every part of her fit him just as it was supposed to. Where he was hard, she was soft and curved. Where he was rough, her skin was butter soft. And 76

Nikki Winter where his skin was lightly tanned from his heritage and days spent working in the sun, hers was a beautifully deep candy caramel. He loved every part of this woman, even now when she was hogging all the Sweet Temptation cookies. He’d intertwined their fingers so he could hold her hand down over her head and use his free hand to tickle the backs of her knees, her secret spot. Paige giggled and tried to buck him off. “Stop, stop, stop!” “Are you gonna be nice and share?” She finished chewing what was in her mouth and shook her head, blowing a raspberry at him. His brows winged and he ran his fingertips under her knees again. When she snorted by accident, both of them stopped. Paige’s eyes widened as her cheeks turned bright red but Felix just busted out laughing and let her go. She kicked at him. “It’s not funny! Shut up!” For as long as he’d known her, Felix had never heard her snort and it had to be the most adorable thing he’d ever witnessed in his life. She went to climb out of the fort they’d built in the living room but he pulled her back into his lap, trying desperately to stop laughing at her. “Oh baby, I’m not laughing…at you…I swear…” 77

Sweet Seduction Paige punched him in the shoulder and he started all over again. “Asshole.” He kissed her forehead and bit his lip to keep from grinning. “Stop pouting.” She didn’t. “Cada parte é fermoso para min, mesmo as máis embaraçosas.” Felix chuckled against her hair. Paige looked up at him with a tiny frown. “What does that mean?” He framed her face in his hands and kissed her softly on the lips. “Each part is beautiful to me, even the most embarrassing ones.” Her lips twitched. “Suck up.” Grinning wide, he nodded. “Yes, now share the cookies.” Nose scrunching, she shook her head. “Nope. Make me.” His head cocked as he trailed his gaze from her face to the apex of her thighs. Paige shook her head again, backing up and almost taking out the pillow wall of their fort. “Unh-unh Felix. Not again.” He smirked. “Yes, again.” Then he was on her before she could take off.  78

Nikki Winter It was their last night. Over the past week and a half, Felix had shown her in at least a hundred different ways how much he loved her and every time she melted. When she’d suggested building a fort in the middle of the living room and watching Disney all day she thought he’d laugh at her but he didn’t. If anything, his eyes lit up like a little kid’s and he’d ran through the house collecting blankets and pillows to construct their mini castle. They’d also pigged out on snacks, had several snow ball fights and sock skated on the hardwood floors through the cabin. Every single minute of it had been amazing and every single time he’d made her smile or laugh, Paige felt herself falling deeper and deeper in love. She sighed as she traced Felix’s lips with a fingertip while he slept peacefully. He didn’t wake up, just gripped her around the waist and pulled her closer to his body before settling down again. He looked so content. Inside, she knew his ease was due to the past two weeks, so did she really want this to end? She loved him. Even if she’d never uttered the words out loud, she loved him. Every. Part. Of. Him. From his goofy sense of humor to the way he looked at her, the way he interacted with Abby and Liam, the way he loved Lena, the way he adored and respected 79

Sweet Seduction his parents, his loyalty to Archer’s friendship and every other aspect of this man was pure. Was she willing to give all of that up out of the fear that she’d lose herself in her feelings? Too restless to sleep, Paige kissed his forehead and managed to slip out of his arms. She found a pair of jeans and a sweater to put on along with boots and her parka. Maybe a walk would clear her head. Paige made her way around the cabin and into the backyard, staring out at the mountain tops and frozen lake in the distance as her head started to process exactly how much had happened between her and Felix during their vacation. She almost felt like calling Lena and thanking her for being Satan incarnate because it had finally made her realize something. Out of all the years Felix had been chasing her, he’d never tried to control or change her. There were never any lies or manipulations used. He never held back on his feelings and even after ten years he’d remained celibate just to prove how much he wanted to be with her so exactly what was she running from? Paige slapped a hand against her forehead. “Stupid, you can be so damn stupid.” Felix had been the one to help her study for her exams when she went through veterinary school, 80

Nikki Winter always pushing her to do better right along with Lena. When she’d graduated he’d been the one screaming the loudest because her parents—who didn’t approve of her choice of a career goal, since her father hadn’t picked it—hadn’t been there and he’d seen how much it hurt her. The day she got her first job as a vet tech he’d brought her lunch from Grayson’s and made sure she was eating right. And when she’d started scouting locations for her own office, he’d helped until they found one. Felix had never tried to control her. All he’d ever done was support her and she’d spent so much time afraid that she’d lose herself that she was close to losing him. Even when she pushed him away he just got closer, never once giving up on her. “I can be such a dumbass sometimes, Jesus.” So lost in her thoughts she didn’t hear the footsteps behind her until they got closer. Paige spun around but one booted foot slipped and she lost her balance. She was going down before she knew it. She put her hands out, waiting for an impact that never came. That’s when she heard his chuckle, felt it rumble through his chest as his strong arms held her just a few seconds from breaking something important. “You can open your eyes, sweetheart. I got you.” 81

Sweet Seduction She did, very slowly and felt herself being righted until her feet were firmly back on the ground. “What’re you doing out here? You almost ruined your pretty face.” One big hand came up to cup her cheek and wipe a snowflake away. That’s when an acute sense of déjà vu hit her hard in the gut. Grabbing that hand, she stared Felix straight in the eyes when she whispered, “I love you.” He blinked and blinked again. Then he shook his head. “I’m sorry. Could you repeat that? I think I zoned out for a second and heard the wrong thing.” She grabbed the front of his leather bomber and pulled him in close. “I. Love. You. And I know we had this stupid agreement and I’ve been really slow and running for no reason but I just realized exactly how much you mean to me and I don’t think I can give that up for—” Paige’s words were cut off when Felix leaned down and pressed his lips to hers, slipping his tongue inside and kissing her until she was breathless. He pulled back and stared down at her with so much love that any chance of drawing in a normal breath was out the window. Felix didn’t speak for a long time then he said, “When I woke up and you were gone I thought you’d ran.” She shook her head so hard that her hood came 82

Nikki Winter off. “No, I didn’t. I can’t. I’m tired of running. I kept believing that loving you would somehow change me and it has.” Running her thumb over his bottom lip, she smiled. “For the better. I can stop being scared that I’m going to wake up some day and think that I gave up everything I love just to satisfy you because I realize I’m so much stronger than that. I’m not my mother.” “And I’m not your father.” She cocked her head. “That was never my fear. I was scared that I would give up who I am because I thought that’s what you wanted, not necessarily because you remind me of him. I kept panicking because I’d feel so much love hit me just staring at you that it’d make my head spin for a minute and the intensity of that is what frightened me. When you love a person the way I love you it’s mind boggling because you realize you’d do almost anything just to get them to keep on loving you in return. I didn’t wanna repeat the cycle.” He pulled her closer and hugged her tight. “I love you without conditions, batimentos cardíacos.” She pulled back and looked up at him. “You never did tell me what that means.” Giving her a lopsided grin, he placed her hand over his heart and whispered, “Heartbeat. It means 83

Sweet Seduction heartbeat.” The backs of her eyes burned and she had to blink a few times to stave off the tears that had gathered. Unable to say anything else, she just whispered back, “Marry me?”

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Sweet Seduction Three years later… “Felix, we’re supposed to be cutting the cake,” Paige panted against her husband’s chest as his strong hands ran down her sides to grip her ass and pull her tighter to him. “I have the sweet I want right here.” He sucked her earlobe between his lips and tugged, causing her thighs to clench. “Oh that’s just nasty. Respect the fresh pastries people!” A voice called from the kitchen doorway. Paige looked over Felix’s shoulder to see Lena making a beeline for the cake. She wasn’t surprised since her friend had an obsession with anything that came from Sweet Temptations. Lena had even managed to invite the owner Bianca Halima and her family along with Archer’s friend Victory Graham. Then there was Dexter Franklin who Archer also knew along with his wife and children. The amount of kids everyone had was damn hard to keep up with but somehow Paige had managed. She was keeping a particularly close eye on 85

Sweet Seduction the one they called Bailey. There was something a little…off in the way that girl stared at everyone. Laughing, Paige managed to pry her husband’s hands off of her and got out of his grasp. “We were just about to cut it, honest.” Lena’s brows winged. “Lies.” Paige snorted as two more women came through the swinging doors. “The kids are getting mighty cranky, and I don’t know if anybody but me noticed, but that Liam’s a screamer,” Brianna Halima— Bianca’s older sister announced. “I noticed it, being that I live with it every day.” Lena sighed. Brianna gave Lena a pat on the head along with a pitying look. “And we feel so sorry for you.” “Considering the fact that my children are in the process of plotting to take over the world, I have no sympathy for others,” Bianca stated. They all stopped talking long enough to stare over at Felix who happened to be the lone male in the room at the moment. Paige wanted to yell for him to run and never look back but she had a feeling they’d just chase him down and hog tie him like they’d apparently done Victory years ago. That story had been an…interesting one. “Uh…I’m just gonna see what Archer is up to on 86

Nikki Winter the grill.” Then he did run, leaving Paige with the crazy females who seemed nice enough when they weren’t slap fighting or insulting one another. “There’s something about the males in Damon and being able to wear a pair of Levi’s…” Bianca murmured, staring at Felix as he made his escape. Paige threw a dish cloth at her. “Eyes off my man’s bits or the cake won’t be all that’s cut.” She just shrugged. “I have people eyeing Evan’s bits on a regular. Why should you be exempt from mutual husband ogling?” Paige started to open her mouth but Lena beat her to it. “Because she knows what to do to turn your face orange for a month.” Two sets of eyes widened before Brianna went, “Can you please, please, please teach me how to do that?” “No!” Everybody shouted. Brianna pouted and kicked one booted foot against the floor. “I don’t ever get to do anything fun.”  Felix watched Evan Halima storm across the backyard and snatch the cookie that his eleven year old daughter Bailey was about to hand to one of 87

Sweet Seduction Roderick Hine’s sons and had to fight not to laugh. The boy looked terrified. That’s when he heard Bianca yell, “Evan Halima! You leave them alone right now!” Rod rubbed his temples. “Vic kept telling me that someday my old ways would haunt me.” Then he made his way across the yard to collect his son. The rest of the party guests had ambled off to eat or socialize, leaving Felix and Archer to man the grill. “Dude, I don’t think our kids are gonna break the cycle anytime soon.” Felix stated looking around at all the little girls and boys who were huddled together in small groups or playing. Archer shook his head. “Speak for yourself. I already warned all the little crumb-snatchers that Abby was so off limits that if it even looked like they were trying to make eye contact with her nobody would ever find their remains.” “And I told you to stop threatening innocent children.” Lena said walking up behind her husband. Archer winced. “See, what I meant to say was…” “Zip it, giant.” She rolled her eyes and looked at Felix. “Your birthday boy is ready to cut his cake already.” Felix searched through the throng of people. “Really, where is he?” “Right here, Papa.” A small weight hit the back 88

Nikki Winter of his legs and Felix chuckled before turning around to find Paige standing behind him, their son Fabian latched onto his calf muscle. “Ah, there’s my little man.” Reaching down, her grabbed the two year old and kissed the top of his head full of riotous curls. “Today you’re a big boy.” Fabian’s green eyes lit and he clapped his small hands. “Big boy! Big boy! Cake! Cake! Cake!” Chuckling, Felix pulled his wife into his side. “We’re in for one hell of a time huh?” he asked, watching all their friends hustle their own kids to gather them around the main picnic table. She grinned up at him and nothing could’ve been more beautiful at that moment. “Yeah, but I think it’s more than worth it.” Looking around at their newly acquired friends and family, his smile widened. It had taken him ten years but he’d finally gotten exactly what he needed. The woman by his side was his everything. And all it had taken was just a little sweet seduction.

Nikki

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To read more about the characters connected to this book, check out the following stories by Nikki Winter:  Sweet Temptations (Bianca and Evan)  Sweet Surrender (Brianna and Dane)  Sweet Victory (Victory and Roderick)  Sweet Words (Harlow and Dexter)  Sweet Allure (Lena and Archer)  Sweet Valentine (Bianca and Evan holiday)  Sweet Surprise (Archer and Lena holiday)

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Nikki Winter When Nikki wrote her first story in the tenth grade, she knew without a doubt she was destined for greatness. Now if she could just convince everyone else… Buckling down, she’s taken the time to polish what she refers to as her “writing superiority.” She hopes that the tales she has created grab the readers’ attention, and make them devoted slaves to her will fans. If you want to let her know just how absolutely, positively awesome she is, you can always e-mail her at [email protected], friend her on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/people/NikkiWinter/100002445230428, or follow her on Twitter as @NikkiWinter19.