CHAPTER 1
“Landon and Monica are definitely happy, don’t you think?”
Kelly Perkins didn’t have to turn around to see who had spoken. Her body was screaming that it was Colton Masters. The sound of his deep, husky voice had blood rushing through her veins and a little ball of need bursting to life inside of her. Only he could do that. When she was certain that she could stare into his face and not drool, she slowly turned, trying to fight back the low moan that threatened to escape her lips.
She’d stopped trying to figure out what there was about him that was such a turn-on. There were too many things to name, and she had long ago concluded it was, well, everything. He was drop dead gorgeous, from the top of his head to the feet covered in those expensive shoes he favored. Whenever he was near, flutters immediately started up in the pit of her stomach.
Kelly would never forget the day they’d met. It had been this time last year. They’d been introduced at the Bennetts’ double wedding of Kennedy Bennett to Haddison Wolf and Victoria Bennett to Cortez Masters. Cortez was Colton’s brother.
There were three of them--Cortez, Colton, and Cobra Masters. The triplets were all as handsome as sin. Cortez was now married, but Colton and Cobra were still single and available. Although, that depended on what “available” meant for them. She’d heard Cobra was a devout ladies’ man, one who had no expectations other than a good time. His style was one-night stands with no repeats.
Colton, she’d been told, dated whenever it suited him, and unlike Cobra, didn’t favor one-night stands. He preferred casual to more serious affairs, although so far, none of those affairs had evolved into a commitment. Lately, according to Monica, he’d been busier building a career than solidifying a relationship.
Kelly got that and understood. It had been the same for her. In her pursuit of her PhD, she hadn’t had time for things like dates, parties, or sex. And now that she had achieved her educational goals, she had a new goal--starting up her own business. But before she got started, she intended to make up for lost time and pursue all the things she’d left behind—namely dates, parties…and definitely sex. Especially with someone like Colton.
Unfortunately, she only had this weekend to try to live life to the fullest. Starting next week, her consulting firm had to be the only thing on her mind. Already, her “to-do” list was a mile long. So she really wanted to enjoy this weekend, since it would be the last time she’d be able to let loose for a while.
As for Monica and Landon… “Yes, they are happy,” she agreed, glancing back at the couple sharing yet another dance together as man and wife. She felt a deep sense of joy every time she saw her sister, the former Monica Ethella Bennett, and her husband of less than four hours, Landon O’Brien Chestnut, together. Their love was on full display for all to see. “And I am happy for them.”
And she wouldn’t mind some happiness for herself… But what she was after was the temporary kind. She didn’t have time for anything else. Still, when she and Colton had met at the Bennetts’ double wedding last June, it had been an instant attraction for both. Even Monica had picked up on it.
Because Kelly was considered the fun-loving and daring sister in the family, Monica had been surprised she hadn’t madea move on Colton that weekend. But all they’d shared together had been a lot of heated glances and a few slow dances.
She would have loved to have had a “play” night in some hotel room with him. However, she’d had to study for an important exam, and so she’d left immediately after the wedding reception. At the time, passing that test meant more to her than appeasing some pesky overactive hormones.
Then, six months later, she and Colton had been guests at the Bennetts’ Family Reunion during the holidays, and that same sizzle of sexual energy had passed between them again, each time their gazes had connected. However, this time, he’d been the one to leave the family reunion banquet early. She’d later learned that the company he worked for had been closing a major deal the day after New Year’s, and he’d had to fly to Paris.
Tonight was the third time their paths had crossed. She had obtained her PhD, and she’d heard he was now COO of the corporation he worked for. Was she wrong to hope that things would be different this time around? That she would finally get Colton Masters out of her system before moving on to the next most significant achievement in her life--KP Consulting Agency?
“I wonder why Sebrina and Monica decided not to have a double wedding like Kennedy and Victoria did?” Colton said, breaking into her thoughts.
She knew the answer to that. “Although both Monica and Sebrina got engaged at Christmas, Landon didn’t want a long engagement. He was living here in Atlanta and Monica in St. Paul, and the distance was becoming a problem. On the other hand, Sebrina and Parker didn’t mind the wait since they had the house in St. Paul all to themselves. Plus, Monica wanted a June wedding, and Sebrina wants to get married on Christmas Day.”
Most people knew that although the four Bennett cousins–Monica, Sebrina, Victoria, and Kennedy--had gone to differentuniversities, it had always been their plan to move to St. Paul and become housemates after college. And when Kennedy and Victoria married last year, the sisters-Monica and Sebrina-shared the house.
During the Christmas holidays, Parker had become their new roommate. Now, with Monica married and moving to Atlanta, Sebrina and Parker, both medical doctors who were getting married on Christmas, had the house all to themselves.
“I see.” Then after his gaze swept over her, he said, “You look beautiful, Kelly.”
“Thank you. You look very handsome yourself, Colton.” She decided not to add…as always.
“Thank you. However, I believe your beauty outshines everything,” he said.
She smiled. “If you say so.”
“I do say so. I’m more convinced every time I see you.”
“Thank you.” He was a man who did not mind bestowing compliments. She had discovered that the first time they met. He had told her she looked beautiful then, too. Kelly had felt his gaze on her when she had walked down the aisle earlier today, as one of Monica’s bridesmaids. It had been hard to stay focused on what she was doing, and not seek him out in the audience. But when she’d taken her place at the altar, she realized that he was in her direct line of vision. More than once during the ceremony, she had felt the need to fan herself. His dark, bedroom-brown eyes had transmitted a degree of heat she had felt in every part of her body.
“I understand congratulations are in order, Kelly. Quinn mentioned you received your PhD last month.”
Quinn was another cousin of the Masters. He was married to Grammy Award-winning singer, Alexia Bennett-Masters. “Yes, that’s right. I can’t quite believe it’s all over.” Since graduating from high school at seventeen, she had acquired a bachelor’sdegree in finance, an MBA, and most recently, her PhD in Operations Management. She had practically been attending some school or university the majority of her life. It had been quite the journey.
“I understand congratulations are in order for you, as well,” she said. “I heard about your promotion to COO.” One of his cousins, Lake Masters, owned Masters Unlimited, one of the country’s largest, multi-faceted marketing corporations.
“Thank you.” He smiled. “I think both of our accomplishments call for a toast,” he said, grabbing two glasses of champagne off the tray of a passing waiter. He handed her one of the glasses, and she followed his lead when he held up his. “To the two of us,” he said. “And may we always get everything we want in life.”
They clicked their glasses before taking a sip and their gazes caught. The look in his eyes made her heart start pumping like crazy and caused heat to spread through her. And then, when he lowered his glass and licked his lips… Those full, sexy lips that she was dying to taste. Oh my… Had three plus years without sex done this to her?
