What to Read After FSOG: The Gemstone Collection (WTRAFSOG Book 9) Read online

  “I’m the kind of woman who would be up for all of the above. And it all sounds quite captivating except for the fact that you’ve probably done this checklist a dozen times before.” Envy pinged in her voice and her insides trembled. I want that day, she realized. And she didn’t want anyone else basking in the desert sun with him.

  “No. You, Shayla, require an entirely new set of checklists.”

  The sound of heels marching down the path bounced off the lava wall rising above the music coming from the wedding.

  “Shit.” John edged in front of Shayla, shielding her from oncoming embarrassment.

  Shayla yanked her hand from his pants and adjusted the top of her dress while John tugged and straightened the silky fabric around her thighs. She combed her fingers through her hair, tucking it behind her shoulders. “Am I okay?” she whispered, motioning toward her hair.

  He raised a doubtful eyebrow, adjusting his hard on with the heel of his hand.

  Shayla put her back to the wall, making certain she remained out of sight, grinning up at him as she buttoned his shirt.

  “Hello?” Tracy called out from around the corner, tipping them off while keeping her distance. “John? Shayla?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Are you guys descent?”

  “We’ll be right there.” He averted his face, hiding a smile.

  Shayla giggled softly, gripping him by the collar and pulling his mouth to hers. She whispered into his mouth, words and breath caught between pressed lips, “Tell her we’ll be there in ten minutes.”

  Tracy cleared her throat. “Hello? I’m still here.”

  “We’ll be there in a few minutes.” His chest shook, hiding his laugh as he playfully backed her up against the bluff. Spanning his arms wide above her head, John gripped the rock as if he wanted to lift it above his head and throw it over the edge into the churning depths of water below. His forehead came to rest on hers. Both nuzzled each other’s face while smothering their laughter.

  “Sorry, Romeo. I have strict instructions from Benny that I’m not allowed to come back without you.” Tracy cautioned.

  John nipped the sensitive curve between Shayla’s neck and shoulder. His sweet whisper tickled her ear. “Let’s go, Wonder Woman.”

  Chapter Ten

  Laughter and voices ushered along the silent path, growing louder as they neared the reception. The Way You Look Tonight played as John courteously held open the gate for Tracy and Shayla.

  He tucked Shayla’s arm through the bend at his elbow, but Tracy cut them off. She folded her arms across her chest and shirked to one side. A disapproving scowl gathered between her brows as she took a brief survey of the couple from head to toe under the dim lighting.

  “Holy shit. What the hell happened to you?”

  A tiny muscle near Shayla’s mouth twitched. Evading Tracy’s scrutiny, she glanced at John for backup. One look at his proud face and the phrase “worked-over-hard” came to mind. Shayla’s fingers crept slowly over her face, fixing possible smudges.

  Tracy rolled her eyes. She held up her finger, advising Shayla not to budge. After a brisk walk to her table, she returned with Shayla’s purse. “I think you’re gonna need this.”

  “Thanks,” Shayla muttered appreciatively, wandering off to find the ladies room and a well needed mirror.

  After making slight repairs to her disheveled appearance and a light coat of fresh lipstick, Shayla went back to the reception. She stopped beneath the cover of the pergola, catching a glimpse of John dancing with his mother.

  Standing in the shadows, she watched them smile and laugh. Shayla couldn’t hear what they said, but John’s face beamed with pride as they conversed. She felt as if she were intruding on a private moment, but couldn’t look away from the love. Warmth climbed up her neck as she witnessed the precious moment.

  A moonbeam cast through the slots of aged timber above her head and shined down on her fingers. Shayla held out her hand. Her gaze locked on the white band circling her finger. She licked her thumb and scrubbed at the faint mark left by one week of California sunshine.

  “Are you enjoying yourself?”

  She jumped, startled by her uncle’s deep voice. He draped his arm over her shoulder, rubbing her chilly arm for friction. Both remained quiet, watching the tender scene unfolding in front of them. Shayla nodded. Unable to stop her comparison of this amazing bond taking place before her and the fiasco of Thanksgiving at Mat’s home, she peered despondently at her finger again.

  “He’s a good man.”

  Shayla glanced sideways at her uncle. She shirked in complete surprise. “I always thought you never cared for Mat.”

  Tommy gave a raucous scoff. “You’re right about that, sweetheart. I don’t care for Mat. I was referring to him.” He pointed at John.

  “Oh.” Shayla looked on.

  John dipped his mother with ease.

  She swallowed hard and added, “He seems pretty…wonderful. I keep thinking there’s no possible way they’re really like this all the time. I mean, seriously. Does a family like this really exist?”

  “I thought the same thing when I met Tess.” One of his infamous wry smiles tugged at one side of his mouth. “I’ve waited all my life to meet a women like her. I didn’t think she existed. And to tell you the truth, I was scared to death to meet her kids, but they’re amazing. Thanksgiving was the one of the best weekends of my life. Missed you,” he added.

  The sight of her uncle so enamored by a woman pleased her.

  Shayla’s gaze drifted to his shoulder and she dared to ask, “Is John like this all the time? Happy, fun, charming.”

  “Yep. And you should add honest, hardworking and protective as hell to your list. And the last thing you want to do is piss him off.” He pointed to his once blackened eye.

  John caught sight of her standing in the darkness and her stomach did a flip-flop like she stood at the cliff readying herself to leap from the edge.

  Shayla tucked her arm around Tommy’s waist, clinging to him like a small child. She rested her head on the crook of his arm and drew in a heavy breath. Her uncle took on the role of her father for the most part, and just the warm spicy scent of him brought a calmness to her. Every time she caught a whiff of him, it felt like coming home. “They just seem so perfect.”

  He gathered her closer, swaying slightly resting his cheek on the top of her head. “Awe, Shay. We’re all just a small adjustment away from making our lives perfect, but you should never settle for anything or anyone less than the perfect person for you.”

  “I’m not looking forward to going home.”

  “You have to do what’s best for you, sweetheart,” he said without hesitation. “It’s just difficult to say some things out loud and it’s even harder for you to hurt someone. I’m guessing that’s why you stayed with Mat this long.”

  The reality of his words sank to the bottom of her stomach like a penny sinking to the bottom of a pool. Her gaze fell to the floor.

  “I’ve kept quiet about Mat and his family for a long time, Shayla. I’ve always tried to help steer you in the right direction while letting you take your own journey.”

  “I know, but sometimes I still appreciate your advice.”

  “I planned on talking to you about the whole engagement fiasco while you were here, but you’ve been…busy. Honestly, you know I’ve been completely worthless when it comes to relationships, until I met Tess.” He stroked her hair. “But if I’ve learned anything over the course of my life, it’s that doing what’s best for you isn’t always easy.”

  “I know.” She nodded against his chest.

  “Life is a journey and everything happens for a reason. That man,”—Tommy bent one eyebrow, looking at John in the distance—“has come into your life for a reason. Just like the day you showed up on my doorstep. And just like the numerous days I said goodbye to a nice woman because she never truly touched my heart.”

  Utterly astonished by the sincerity in his voice, she tu
rned, staring into her uncle’s dark eyes that began to redden.

  “I can’t imagine the amount of perfect timing it took to put Tess in my path. Sometimes, at the precise moment, Fate intercedes.”

  “The stars aligned that day.” Shayla grinned, wiping the slick of tears blurring her vision.

  “Only you can decide your path, Shay, but this was supposed to happen. Don’t beat yourself up over it.”

  “You’re not mad? You know…your niece, her son.”

  “Hell no! Is that what you’re worried about?”

  “A little. The media would—”

  “Don’t you dare worry about what the media or anyone else thinks. You do what’s best for you.”

  By anyone, he meant Mrs. Huntston and her political entourage.

  Tommy gave her a wide-eyed look of assurance and tapped his finger to the end of her nose as if she were a little girl.

  “I love you, Tommy. You know I think of you more like my dad.”

  “I love you too, but let’s not start that conversation. I’ll be crying like a baby again.” He squeezed her shoulder and nodded toward John leading his mother toward the pergola. “And right now, it appears as if you’re wanted on the dance floor.”

  John never took his eyes off her until he relinquished his mother’s hand to Tommy. Shayla immediately reached for John’s hand, greeting him with a kiss on his neck. Moves Like Jagger started playing and the newlyweds wasted no time making their way back to the floor.

  “Let’s tear it up,” John said, following right behind.

  John gained her undivided attention, moving seductively over her body as he danced. He took control, pulling her close, artfully molding his hips to hers. He wore a haughty wide smile, practically laughing out loud at her stunned expression as he lithely rolled his body against hers like a snake.

  The heat on her skin climbed, and Shayla felt a prickling sensation bourgeon as he charted every curve of her body. Part of her wanted to run for cover, and the other wanted to melt into him like a hot shower. His rising body temperature heated his fresh, spicy cologne, filling each breath of air with his aroma.

  Warily, she dared to take a quick glimpse around the room to see who watched, only to find each couple dancing with the same enthusiasm and confidence. “What did you say you do in Vegas?”

  “Don’t judge. I only did that part time when I was younger to make extra cash.”

  Shayla stood paralyzed in a wide-eyed stupor. A flash of his white sardonic smile caught her eye. She grinned over her shoulder as he danced around her. “Should I go get me some dollars?”

  “You get it free,” he growled, provoking a squeal of delight. Every flexing muscle swayed and bumped against her backside. “I’ll teach you some new moves tonight.”

  “Oh, I think I can manage.”

  He sauntered to her front side. Glancing down at her sharply, John gripped her hips. “You’re in for a long night, baby.”

  Benny and Tracy each gave a touching toast about sentiment and gratitude of newfound love, a love that would last the remainder of their lifetime. The toast was meant for Tommy and Tess, but Shayla and John held to each other silently, listening to every word. Shayla’s chest ached and a severe rush of heat climbed up her neck. Her earlobes burned and she held back tears, overcome with a new desire for an endless tomorrow. Shayla yearned for her own happily ever after.

  Reflexively, she molded her back against his wide chest, trembling from head to toe, submerged in incredulous feelings of adoration for a man she barely knew.

  And damned if he didn’t dissect every tremor.

  John held her shoulders. His lips searched the sensitive curve on her neck, making a sympathetic sound. “It’s okay, baby.”

  She shook her head, willing away tears that continued to threaten to come again. Words tumbled anxiously from her lips. “Actually, it’s not okay. I don’t get it. I feel like a gushing bumble of nerves ready to cry at any given moment. I don’t know if it’s Greece or the wedding or—”

  “I’m not feeling myself either, Shay.” The raw honesty in his tone simmered her angst. It wasn’t Greece or the wedding. John hauled her close and peered over her shoulder, raising his glass of champagne to hers. “But I can tell you this much. In about two or three more songs neither one of us is gonna care. And the only thing you’d better be crying out is my name.”

  Right on queue, Maybe I’m Amazed by Paul McCartney began to play, drawing them to the floor. John sang softly near her temple, his exhalations floating across her cheek. He maneuvered her through the song with finesse. They kissed openly. It started with elusive touches of parted lips, but with each passing chorus the connection held longer and deeper.

  JC danced beside them, leaning closer, nudging her brother, and joining in with the climactic, “‘Oooooo.’”

  John tossed a luminous smile and an eye roll at his little sister.

  Shayla smiled into his shirt, finishing the song with them.

  “I’m surprised you know this song.” A mock grin tickled the edge of her lips as she made reference to his young age.

  “The only class I managed to pass in my first and only semester of college was The History of Rock and Roll.”

  “You didn’t finish college?”

  His fingers spread wide on her back, spanning the narrow cage beneath her shoulder blades. She gasped a little as he gripped her firmly to the length of his body. “I’m more of a hands on kinda guy.”

  It was late when they arrived at the trendy, five-star hotel. Welcomed with a signature cocktail, Tracy and JC meandered through the lobby, taking in the nature-inspired atmosphere one painting at a time.

  John rested an elbow on the counter, mindlessly playing with a lock of Shayla’s hair, never taking his eyes off her. She’d previously made reservations for three rooms. When the clerk presented their room cards, he pressed his pointer finger on top of a card, sliding it back to the clerk. “We won’t be needing this one.”

  “Actually, that’s my room key.” Shayla retrieved card and pushed another toward the clerk. “And it’s a suite.”

  “Of course you have a suite.”

  “Perks of making the reservations. Comes with the job.”

  John murmured, nipping her ear, “I’m gonna give you some perks with the job.”

  Shayla released a shaky laugh. God, I love his sense of humor!

  His deep chuckle strummed down her spine like caressing fingers as they made their way to the room.

  The lights flickered on when the door opened. Crossing the threshold into the romantic sanctuary, Shayla’s nerves sizzled like holiday chaser lights. The stark white suite was built with rustic, authentic architecture, harmonizing perfectly with modern elements. She ambled toward the sliding glass door.

  Coming up behind her, John grabbed her upper arms. “Come here, you. The only view I’m interested in is you, in just about any position you can dream up.”

  His thick fingers griped tightly, lifting her shoulders as his mouth descended to her neck. She gasped at his sheer strength and power, and arousal poured over her in a relentless wave. John grazed over the sensitive slope of her neck. He focused his attention there, searching for hidden pleasures, pressing slow, burning kisses to her skin. She sagged against him with a heavy exhale. One hand held her securely, his other wandered over her front, working her into a fevered pitch.

  Shayla turned abruptly, grasping his face in her palms. Violent trembles shook her fingers, and she stared up at him breathlessly.

  Crushing her lips to his, she panted beneath their lips. “I want you so badly.”

  John obliged, matching her lustful cravings with hot deep glides of his tongue. His fingers tangled in her mane, clasping firmly to her skull. He kissed her until she was dizzy with need.

  The roughness of his hands caught against her bare hips and she groaned into his mouth. He stripped the dress above her head, the weight of her clothing disappearing. Her fingers worked hastily, impeding her effort to
unbutton his shirt. Her lips broke away over the rasp of his stubble. “Now. Right now.”

  “Easy, baby.” The pad of his thumb made leisurely circles on the side of her neck, soothing her rush. He pried her fingers away, bringing them to his lips for a kiss, and began to undress.

  Pitifully amused by her own desperate need, Shayla held her hands to the side of her head as if holding it from the pain of a migraine. She paced back-and-forth wearing only her black panties. Her high heels snagged a bit on the Berber carpet as she dragged her feet in bemusement. “I’ve never felt like this before.” She spoke the words aloud, but said it to herself. “I feel like I’m on fire.”

  He came to her, caressing her limbs in a reassuring manner. “Just relax, baby. You okay?”

  “You’re just so…” Her gaze lowered to the masculine dips and textures of his body, her anxiousness decelerating. “Handsome and manly. I’ve never been this attracted to anyone.”

  Shayla timidly reached out, tracing her fingers down the taught bands of muscles. She played with the dark hair on his lower stomach. He was heavily aroused. She gripped him, tenderly fondling his taut skin. She touched him with curious wonder, startled by the new sensation building in her chest. When her gaze lifted, a storm brewed in his eyes, drinking in her body with the same thirst.

  He released her and opened his suitcase, digging for protection.

  Shayla noticed a Bare Your Soul Calendar placed perfectly in the mesh zipper compartment. She peered over his shoulder, reaching around him to grab it. “Hey. Where did you get that?”

  “You’re not supposed to see that.” He shut the suitcase and turned so they faced each other. His brown skin flushed crimson high on his cheeks. “That’s mine.”

  “Where did you find that?” Shayla grilled.

  “Somebody, a publicist or someone, sent several to my mom. I saw it on their computer and nabbed it.”

  “What did you think? Did you like it?” She poked his stomach.

  “What did I think?”