More Than Lovers

More Than Lovers

More Than This, Book 2

Jess Dee

Published 2017 by Book Boutiques.

ISBN: 978-1-946363-38-1

Copyright © 2017, Jess Dee.

All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of Book Boutiques.

This book is a work of fiction. Any similarity to actual persons, living or dead, locales, or events is wholly coincidental. The names, characters, dialogue, and events in this book are from the author’s imagination and should not to be construed as real.

Manufactured in the USA.

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Blurb

It was just sex…until the booty calls got serious.

When Sarah Deacon’s new relationship comes to an unexpected end, she heads straight for the one place she can always find no-strings comfort—her neighbor’s bed. Charlie, who’s made it clear sex is all he wants, is only too happy to oblige.

Hot sex with a gorgeous surfer any time she’s single and in the mood? Oh, yeah. She’s all signed up for that course.

Charlie Hudson knows he’s all wrong for the sexy geneticist. After all, what could a long-haired school dropout have in common with a classy academic? Nothing…except maybe a burning desire for her that just won’t quit no matter how often they have sex.

Sensing the breakup has damaged her self-worth, Charlie cooks up a plan to introduce her to three appropriate men who’ll show her she’s the most beautiful woman in the world. But when his matchmaking begins to work too well, he realizes there’s only one thing worse than not having her in his bed.

Losing the chance to make her his forever.

Previously Published

(2013) Samhain Publishing

Dedication

As ever, with special thanks to Fedora, Kelly and Dawn, for always finding the time to read my books—when they’re not quite ready to be read.

And, of course, to Jennifer, my wonderful editor. Even a holiday in Hawaii can’t stop her from improving my work.

Acknowledgements

Cover Artist: Valerie Tibbs, Tibbs Design

Chapter 1

Sarah Deacon released the breath she’d held in a long whoosh. Relief zipped through her veins. Charlie Hudson was home. He stood in his doorway, eyeing her speculatively.

Just as quickly as she’d released it, her breath hitched again. He might be home, but that didn’t mean there was no one else here.

Sar, he greeted.

Charlie. She bit her lip. Are you, um, alone?

He nodded. A slow nod, accompanied by a sensual smile. As it happens, I am. Would you like to come in?

Her belly tightened in anticipation. I’d love to. He had no idea how much.

It wasn’t the first time she’d asked the question. It was a key one between the two of them, and after eighteen months of asking, it needed no embellishment.

Charlie stepped back, allowing Sarah into his unit. The layout was identical to hers downstairs, but the furnishings were so different, no one would ever mistake his place for hers.

Charlie’s chocolate brown leather couches faced a huge flat-screen TV embedded in the wall. The wooden floor remained unadorned, with nothing but a glass coffee table set in the center. Stark, modern and nothing like Sarah’s lounge room downstairs, with her plush carpets, upholstered sofas and treasured collection of antiques.

Décor was the last thing on her mind now, although those leather couches would come in handy when her legs collapsed beneath her, as they usually did when Charlie worked his magic.

Already she fingered the hemline of her T-shirt, and the instant she heard the click of the door closing, she drew that hemline up over her breasts and tugged the tee off, turning to face Charlie in her bra.

The purple bra she’d chosen specially to wear tonight, because without a doubt, it was her sexiest.

His blue gaze darkened as it settled on her chest.

Correct me if I’m wrong… Charlie’s tongue touched his upper lip, leaving the spot glistening. But didn’t you have a hot date this evening?

I did. And then I didn’t.

Ah, right. Charlie stepped closer and brushed his hand over her arm, leaving a streak of goose bumps in his wake. And that means what exactly?

He fell in love with another woman. Sarah tried not to let the disappointment mar her tone but must have failed by the frown on Charlie’s face.

In three days?

I know. Go figure. She arched her neck as Charlie’s fingers trailed from her shoulder to her ear, a slow burn starting in her belly.

God, his touch felt good.

I’m trying to figure, Sar, but honestly? You’re not making too much sense. He flicked her red hair over her shoulder, bent forward and nipped her neck.

The second his teeth scraped over her sensitive skin, Sarah forgot to care how sexy her bra was. She wanted it gone. Twisting her arms behind her back, she unclipped the hooks and let the underwear fall to the floor, loving the rush of air against her hot skin.

He phoned and invited me over to his place, she explained. Which I thought was pretty okay for a fourth date. She arched her back as Charlie wound his arm around her waist, dipping her, pushing her now bare breasts upwards.

He leaned his head down and ran his warm, moist tongue over her nipple. A soft cry filled the air.

Hers.

Pretty okay, he agreed. Explains the purple bra too. Drives me crazy when you wear that thing. Suspect it would drive any guy crazy. He kissed her other nipple.

Sarah’s breasts tingled beneath the arousing attack, and she arched her back further, encouraging him to keep it up—which he did, in a manner magnificent enough to send chills up her spine.

So I get to his place, and there’s someone else there. His friend.

Charlie paused. So you wore the purple bra for…what’s his name again?

Sebastian.

"For Sebastian and his friend?"

No. I wore it just for Sebastian. His friend happened to drop in minutes before I arrived.

Did the friend get to see the purple bra? He rubbed his left cheek on one breast then his right cheek on the other. His five o’clock shadow scraped over her skin, making Sarah shiver.

God, no. The friend was a woman. She wasn’t interested in my bra.

I’m interested in your bra. He nuzzled her breasts then bit down gently on one nipple, taking Sarah’s breath. More interested when your bra’s on the floor though. He drew the nipple he’d just bitten between his lips and suckled it.

Sarah felt the action all the way down to her toes. Sebastian might be good-looking, but when it came to physical appeal he couldn’t compete with Charlie, her blond-haired, blue-eyed surfer dude. The man was sex on a stick. One look in his direction was enough to get her panties wet. You’re getting distracted.

You’re distracting me.

I get dumped, and all you can think about is my bra?

Frankly, I’m thinking way more about your tits.

And that should placate me?

Tell me what happened with Sebastian and his friend.

He pulled the other nipple into his mouth, making speech almost impossible for Sarah. How could she talk when he treated her to such incredible pleasure? But Charlie deserved an explanation. She’d told him just last night that even though she had been alone when he’d knocked on her door, she wasn’t alone-alone. She’d met Sebastian just a few nights before and really liked him. Which meant her and Charlie’s booty calls were off until further notice.

He’s in love with her. Didn’t realize it until this last weekend. He didn’t want to mess me around, so he called me over to explain.

Charlie raised his head again. The dickhead invited you over to his place, where his friend was waiting, so the two of them, together, could tell you they were in love? He muttered something under his breath.

No, he wasn’t expecting her to be there. And she left when I arrived. But he did tell me then that he and I wouldn’t work because he was in love with her.

Anger flashed in his eyes. He sounds like an asshole to me.

She sighed, maybe from dejection or maybe from pleasure as his lips slid over her stomach. He’s not, you know? And that’s the worst part. He’s a really decent guy. Like marriage-material kind of decent.

Unlike Charlie, who was more of a jump-my-bones-now kind of a guy. Marriage was the last item on his list of Things-To-Do-Before-I-Die.

Not that she was looking to get married, but a real long-term committed relationship would be nice. And yes, a long-term committed relationship with Charlie was a fantasy she’d sometimes indulged in. But that was all it was. A fantasy. Charlie would never allow it to be anything more.

His hands were on the button of her jeans, tugging at it, pulling down her zip. His fingertips skimming over her belly, and Sarah had a hard time concentrating. Especially with Charlie on his knees.

When Charlie dropped to his knees, strange things happened to Sarah’s lungs. They ceased to function properly.

You were thinking marriage after only four dates? Surprise and horror echoed from his voice.

No, I was thinking he’s the kind of guy I could take home to meet the parents. The kind of guy I could picture myself with long-term.

Unlike Charlie, who always insisted—with glee in his eyes—that his arm tattoo alone would give her mother an instant heart attack.

Sarah loved Charlie’s tat. A surfer, on his board, just visible through the barrel of a wave. She thought it summed up the essence of the man—he lived chasing the freedom and joy of finding that perfect wave—and didn’t bother arguing with him about her mother’s opinion, since it was irrelevant to him and her.

Sounds like a saint.

Sarah heard the sarcasm in his voice, but couldn’t respond. Charlie was drawing her jeans over her hips and down her legs, making good and sure to take her panties with them. The matching purple panties