Between The Sheets - Complete Collection Read online

  “For Monday morning.”

  “Okay, then there’s the last thing: The situation with Geoffrey.” Diamond paused a moment. “Do you remember what you said at the last book club meeting, when we were discussing the bondage and submission scenes? About how the scenes didn’t ring true because it’s difficult for us, strong women, to give up all control?”

  Brandi nodded, remembering. “I remember.”

  “Well, I’ve been thinking a lot about it, and I think our issue is one of trust. We must know, without a shadow of a doubt, that the man involved respects us and the strength that is an integral part of us. I think if we know that, then, maybe, at some point, we can give up all control to him when it comes to intimacy.”

  “Maybe,” agreed Brandi, somewhat hesitant.

  “I think you’re not sure enough of Geoffrey and how he views you to give him the benefit of the doubt. Give it time.”

  Brandi scoffed without humor. “I threw the man out, Diamond. I seriously doubt there’s going to be any more time for us.”

  “Yes, well, if things between you are as powerful as you say, he’ll be back. Count on it.”

  “We’ll see.” Her pulse quickened at the possibility. I hope you’re right, Diamond. Aloud, she said, “Thanks, girl. Enjoy the rest of your weekend.”

  There was a hard knocking sounded on her door as she ended the call. Maybe Geoffrey? On the heels of that thought came another possibility. Nick.

  That checked her impulse to immediately open the door. Looking through the peephole, her lips tightened at the sight. Nick stood there, smirking at her.

  “What do you want?”

  “Open the door, Bee.”

  “No, and I suggest you get a lawyer because I have no intention of allowing you inside what has been my home, alone, for the past year.”

  “You can’t keep me out of my house.”

  “I can and I am. Goodbye, Nick.”

  ___

  Monday rolled around with no word from Geoffrey.

  Guess I scared him off, but if he could walk away so easily, then he didn’t care in the first place.

  Sighing, Brandi finished dressing, choosing a pantsuit in a vibrant shade of violet, underneath which she wore a sleeveless pinstripe blouse that was white and light violet. Black pumps and earrings completed her ensemble and she was ready for her day. In preparation for her meeting with the lawyer, she’d gathered every piece of paperwork he might need, from the mortgage contract to mortgage payments and tax, insurance, and HOA receipts.

  The concierge for the condominium had called a taxi, just as she requested. It waited at the curb when she emerged from the building. She gave him the lawyer’s address. Fifteen minutes later, she arrived at the building and took the elevator to the fourth floor. The sign greeted her: Jacobson, Fitzgerald & Helmsworth Law Firm

  Brandi entered the double door, going to the large reception desk where an older woman sat, her silver hair up in a bun, wearing spectacles, and a dove gray suit jacket with a tie-neck blouse in a lighter shade of gray. The nameplate said: Leslie Daison.

  She smiled upon seeing Brandi. “Good morning, how may I help you?”

  “Good morning, Ms. Daison. I’m Brandi Rafferty, here to see Mr. Fitzgerald.”

  “Please have a seat.” She motioned to the spacious seating area. “I’ll let him know you’re here.”

  “Thank you.”

  Less than five minutes later, a younger, more petite woman came through the door beyond the reception desk. “Ms. Rafferty?”

  Brandi rose. “Yes.”

  “I’m Linda Mays, Mr. Fitzgerald’s secretary. Please follow me.”

  The woman escorted her back through the door to an office suite at the end. She opened the door and Brandi followed her into another spacious office with a large desk at the floor to ceiling windows and bookcases that filled another wall. Ms. Mays continued to another door and motioned her through, closing the door behind Brandi.

  Mr. Fitzgerald stood with a gracious smile on his face as he came forward and clasped her hand. “Ms. Rafferty, how good it is to see you. Still beautiful, I see.”

  Brandi grinned. “I bet you say that to all the girls.”

  He winked. “Only the beautiful ones. Seriously, though, it is good to see you again. Your work for our firm, we couldn’t have achieved better results on our own.”

  “Well, I’m glad we could help. Now, though, I need your help.”

  “Of course. Please have a seat.” Once she was seated, he went back around the desk. “I understand this concerns a jointly owned condominium in which you’ve been the sole occupant for a year?”

  “Yes.” Brandi proceeded to give him all the details, leaving nothing out. He listened, asking a question here and there to clarify things.

  When she finished, he sat for a moment in silence. Figuring he needed a moment to gather his thoughts, she didn’t say anything, just took a moment to appreciate the cityscape through the windows.

  “It seems to me, Ms. Rafferty,” he said, reclaiming her attention, “that what you and Mr. Everett have are a tenancy-in-common. According to what you’ve told me, and the corresponding paperwork you have, you’ve invested more in the property than Mr. Everett. You must understand, though, that he does have a legal right to occupy the property.”

  Brandi opened her mouth, ready to argue the point.

  “However,” Mr. Fitzgerald continued, one hand held up to stay her, “until the matter is resolved by court order, I…understand…your adamant reluctance to share the space with him. I advise you to obtain a new appraisal of the property and be ready to give Mr. Everett his share of any profit, minus the expenses that have been paid only by you. In other words, Ms. Rafferty, you will need to buy him out. Is that feasible?”

  Grim, she replied, “I’m prepared, but the matter will have to be resolved by court order before I give him a dime.”

  “And you can then obtain a mortgage in your name alone.”

  “Of course.”

  “I will research the matter further. Once I have all the factors at play here, my secretary will call you and set up another meeting for us to discuss it.”

  Brandi stood and so did he, coming around the desk to clasp her hand in both of his. “Do not be surprised if you are served with orders to allow Mr. Everett access to the property. If that happens, Ms. Rafferty, until the case is resolved in court, you must comply. Understand?”

  “I understand,” she stated tersely.

  He gave her a sympathetic smile. “Do not worry, we will have this all sorted out in due time.”

  Do not worry? Really? When I might have to let that prick live with me until this is settled?

  She managed a brief smile that held no humor whatsoever. “Let’s hope it’s sooner rather than later. Thank you, Mr. Fitzgerald.”

  ___

  Geoffrey ground his teeth. Despite what happened between them, or maybe because of it, his desire for Brandi had only intensified. Lifting the phone, he called her office.

  Her assistant answered.

  “This is Geoffrey Rasmussen. Is Ms. Rafferty available?”

  “Please hold and I’ll check.”

  If she didn’t take his call, he intended to go to her office. Their relationship had only just begun and would not be derailed over a small disagreement or, rather, a misunderstanding.

  “Mr. Rasmussen,” her assistant said as she came back on the line. “I will transfer you now.”

  “Thank you, Ms. Chavez.”

  Mere seconds passed then Brandi answered, “Geoffrey.”

  “Good afternoon, Brandi. I trust your day is going well?”

  “Yes, it is, thank you. How may I help you today?”

  He chuckled. “Is that how you think this is going to go? No, Brandi, love. This has nothing to do with business and everything to do with us.”

  A pause. “So there is an ‘us’.”

  “Most definitely.”

  “Even with the way things ended Saturd
ay?”

  “Did you think you had scared me away?”

  “Possibly.” She remained wary.

  “Well, you did not. Are you busy for lunch?”

  “Yes. I went to an appointment before work so I’m playing catch up.”

  Geoffrey persisted. “Dinner?”

  “Sounds good.” Her tone had warmed considerably. “Why don’t I cook dinner for us? Say, around seven?”

  He threw a fist up. Yes! Aloud, he replied, “I will be there.”

  Brandi grinned as she hung up the phone.

  Okay, so yes. She’d admit it. She was more than a little infatuated with Mr. Geoffrey Rasmussen.

  And the unbelievably, incredible, earth-shattering sex we shared!

  But it was more than that. He was kind and generous and just plain fun to be around.

  She shook her head. If she wanted to get out of the office on time, she needed to focus.

  An hour passed. Engrossed in her work, Brandi at first paid no attention to the sounds that she associated as background noise. But the noise became louder. Frowning, she rose from her desk. Just as she reached the door, it burst open and Nick barged in.

  “I’m sorry, Brandi. I tried to stop him.”

  “I know. It’s okay. Just leave the door open.”

  Ignoring Nick, she went back around the desk and sat down, leaning back in her seat before she cocked an eyebrow at him. “Why are you here, Nick?”

  He grinned, the twin dimples in his cheeks flashing. She used to like his dimples. Too bad they were wasted on him.

  “I came to get my key to the condo.”

  She scoffed. “I don’t have one for you.”

  “We both bought it, Bee. I have as much right to it as you do.”

  “Take it up with your lawyer.”

  He sat forward. “You really want lawyers involved in this? After what we once were to each other?”

  Brandi waved a dismissing hand. “The past has no bearing on the here and now.”

  “Right. We both know that the past is exactly why you’re acting like this. You’re trying to get back at me because I left you. In tears.”

  Really? Did he really think that would work?

  “It’s been my home and my home alone for the past year. Even when we were together, I can show that I paid the majority of the expenses related to the house.”

  “You think a judge is going to care? We were a couple living together.”

  “You forget. We kept our bank accounts separate and the agreement was for us to take turns paying those expenses. But that isn’t what happened is it? You always had some reason you couldn’t pay when it was your turn.”

  “Not always.”

  “No, not always, but I have receipts showing that about seventy percent of the time, I made those payments.”

  His jaw tightened.

  Could he really be surprised by my reaction to his return in my life and his demands to occupy my condo? If he was, then he really didn’t know me, and what did that say about our past relationship?

  “Regardless, we are joint owners with equal shares and equal rights to the property.”

  Brandi just shook her head. “I don’t care what you say, Nick. I’m not letting you into my home.”

  “I guess I’ll have to get a lawyer since you’re being unreasonable.”

  She shrugged. “Do what you have to do. For now, please leave. I have work to do.” He gave her a dark look and rose. “And, Nick, don’t ever come barging into my office again. If you do, I will not hesitate to call security.”

  With that, she sat forward and returned her attention to the file opened on her desk. After a moment, Nick walked to her door and slammed it after he went through. Brandi didn’t even glance up, but she did smile.

  ___

  Geoffrey picked up the flowers he ordered, an array of pale yellow roses, deep purple iris, fuchsia roses and white Oriental lilies: A touch of spring to celebrate the beginning of spring. Sure, it was still cool out, but, according to the calendar, they were now in the early spring season.

  He found a space for his SUV in the underground garage of the condominium, just as Brandi had advised him. Damn convenient, he must say. It wasn’t always easy to find a parking space on the street.

  Grabbing the bouquet, he emerged from the vehicle and strode at a brisk pace toward the elevator and soon stood at her door. He knocked and waited, anticipating the kiss he planned to for the moment he saw her. Maybe he would wait until they were inside her condo.

  Brandi opened the door wide, her sweet smile taking the wind out of his sails. Her dress, a sexy shirt-dress with geometric designs on it, skimmed her trim figure, the buttons at the top undone, leaving the swells of her breasts and the deep cleavage between them open to view. It stopped several inches above her knees and the black pumps she wore made her legs appear impossibly longer.

  She was so damn beautiful.

  He stepped in and kicked the door closed with his foot. He swept her close with one arm around her waist. She gasped at the sudden movement. His mouth sealed to hers, taking that gasp and sweetness inside him. Ravenous. She made him ravenous for her scent, her taste, her touch. He wanted it all. She gave it to him and then took what he had to give, as hungry for him as he was for her.

  His other arm came around, crushing the flowers against her back. The scents released and perfumed the air around them. Brandi placed her hands on his chest and pushed. With frank reluctance, he allowed her to step back, but his arms remained around her.

  “Flowers for me?” she asked, voice husky.

  They both breathed fast. “Yes, for you.”

  She tried to look behind her. “Give them to me, please.”

  He chuckled. “You say ‘please,’ but that sounds like an order.”

  Her brows rose. “So why don’t I have them yet? Clearly you know nothing of obeying orders.”

  “That makes two of us, does it not?” But he brought them around and presented the bouquet to her. “Lovely flowers for a lovely lady.”

  Her eyes shone. “They’re beautiful. Thank you, Geoffrey.”

  His chest expanded under her uninhibited gratitude. “I am glad they please you, Brandi.”

  “Oh, they more than please me.” She grabbed a fistful of his shirt and pulled him down while pushing up on her toes to plant a lusty, hot, wet kiss on his lips. Her tongue explored his mouth with a thoroughness that left him at once weak yet strong with the lust raging through his body.

  Just when he thought to sweep her off her feet and carry her to her bedroom, she pulled back. Gratified that her eyes shone with the same raging fever, he let her go.

  “You sit,” she ordered him, “while I put these in a vase and finish cooking our dinner. Are you hungry?”

  “Famished.” His voice came out hoarse.

  Brandi glanced back at him, smiling, as she filled a vase with water and set the flowers in it. “For food, I mean.”

  Grinning, he nodded. “For food, too, yes. What are we having?”

  “Grilled, marinated rib eye steaks, salad and garlic buttered rolls.”

  He slapped himself on the forehead. “Forgive me, Brandi, I forgot the wine.”

  She turned from tossing the salad. “Were you supposed to bring it?”

  “A gentleman should always contribute when a lady offers to cook the meal.”

  “Don’t worry about it, Geoffrey. I already have a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon chilling.”

  “I tell you what, beautiful. Next time, I will cook the meal – or have it delivered – at my place and also select the perfect wine to accompany it.”

  “Sure.” She checked the steaks on the stovetop grill. “How do you like your steak?”

  “Medium rare, if you please. May I open the wine?”

  “Of course. The steaks are almost done, as are the rolls.”

  Geoffrey moved to the table on which lay two place settings. The wine cooled in a stand-alone chiller filled with ice, the corkscrew laying on t
he table. Brandi brought the salad, tossed with raspberry vinaigrette, followed by the steaks and rolls. He had the wine poured into both of their glasses when she sat down.

  “Would you say grace?”

  He nodded and bowed his head as he gave thanks for their food and added a blessing for the hands that prepared it. Their eyes met when he finished and a white-hot wave of desire hit him straight in the gut, his erection straining against the zipper of his pants. His eyes dropped to her breasts, quivering, the nipples peaking against the material of her dress.

  “Eat first,” she said, barely above a whisper. “We’ll both need our strength for after.”

  His cock jerked. Swearing under his breath, he adjusted himself so he wouldn’t castrate himself. She laughed.

  He narrowed his eyes at her. “You will pay for this.”

  “I sure hope so,” she replied, throatily.

  She was having the best time and they hadn’t even got to the best part yet. Every time she saw the desire that burned between them in his eyes, her womb clenched, blood and moisture flowing to the apex of her thighs.

  Geoffrey took a bite of his steak and groaned. “Delicious and tender as butter. Woman, you have done the impossible and cooked a steak better than my mother.”

  A gentle warmth flowed over her at his sincere praise. “Thank you. So how was your day?”

  “Busy, but productive. And you?”

  “The same, although I did have an unexpected visitor barge into my office.”

  Geoffrey laid his fork and knife on the napkin beside his plate. “Did you? May I ask who?”

  Brandi gave him a pointed look. “Eat. As I mentioned before, I know how to handle my business.”

  “I do not doubt your ability, understand?” But he obliged her and resumed eating.

  “Good, because that would seriously anger me.”

  “As I have already experienced,” he replied with a wry smile. “You misunderstood me then, too. It is my nature to assist in matters that concern those I care for, Brandi.”

  Determined to do nothing that would alter the outcome of this evening, she took a moment to consider his words. “All right, but the reason I became upset is that Nick didn’t leave because of me. He left because of you.”