Feel The Need

By M L Smith

Flame haired Katrina Walker possesses a quick temper and a smart mouth that, has got her into trouble far too many times.
When she meets Dublin's most eligible bachelor charismatic millionaire Alexander Callaghan, the chemistry between them is explosive from the start.
Alexander may have the devastating good looks, the power and the money, but he also has a dark secret from his past that he is desperate to hide.
Tall, with almost black hair and eyes to match, Alexander may have the devastating good looks, the power and the money, but he also has a dark secret from his past that he is desperate to hide.
He is a mystery that she longs to unravel....
Has Katrina met her match in the captivating Mr Callaghan?
Is she willing to accept his past, or is it in danger of tearing their world apart?
No cliffhanger.
Feel The Need is an erotic romance with adult content. 18+

• Language: English
• Publisher: M L Smith
• Release date: Oct 1, 2014
• ISBN: 9781311765321

M L Smith

M. L. Smith is an author of erotic thrillers and erotic romances. Short, dark and Northern, she was born in Edinburgh in the 70's - well, 1970 to Shetland heritage. After a family move down to the North East Coast of England, not far from Whitby as a baby, she has remained there ever since. Married with 2.4 children, she has been an avid reader for as long as she can remember. Growing up, Enid Blyton was her thing, then she progressed to an obsession with crime thrillers, then onto her next obsession... Erotica! When she writes, she likes her males 100% alpha, with a generous dollop of vulnerabilities, and her heroines curvy, ballsy and sassy. She also enjoys reading and writing sensual poetry. She loves her family, Italy and Spain - where she can converse in food and alcoholic drinks related matters, Bloody Mary's and of course, writing. Catch her on her blog!

Book preview

Prologue

Katrina

It was a week before her wedding and the feeling of dread was building, day by day.  She stared at the beautiful dress, hanging on the front of her wardrobe.  It was too late to back out.  Wasn’t it?  Her parents were going to be majorly pissed with her, but they wouldn’t want her to marry someone that she wasn’t head over heels in love with. 

She loved Matt, but he didn’t give her butterflies in her stomach when he walked into the room.  She had known him for most of her life and they just sort of fell into a relationship. 

Things were good between them, but it wasn’t fireworks.  It wasn’t red hot passionate love, it was more of a fizzled out sparkler.  In the bedroom things were predictable and she found her mind wandering to other things.  That couldn’t be a good sign.  She was going to become his wife in seven days and she had to say something and she had to say it now.

She speed dialled his number and he picked up after three rings.

Hello gorgeous.  I was just thinking about you.  How are you?

I’m fine thanks Matt.  Listen, I was wondering if you could come round, she asked him quietly.

Sure.  Is everything okay?

Please, just come round, she asked him as she ended the call.

He arrived within twenty minutes and she watched him as he climbed out of his red Audi A4.  Matt was sexy, there was no doubt about that, but he wasn’t her everything. 

He wasn’t ‘the one’, if ‘the one’ actually existed.

She felt sick as she went to the door and invited him in.

He kissed her long and deep in the hallway and she knew, there and then that, she was making the right decision.  His kisses didn’t make desire rise in her.  They didn’t make her heart skip a beat.  They didn’t make her want to drag him to her bedroom and rip all his clothes off.

Shall we take this upstairs? he asked as his soft lips brushed along her jawline, onto her neck.

No.

What’s up with you? he snapped.

Matt, I want to call off the wedding, she told him calmly.

You what? he asked her incredulously.

I don’t want to get married to you. I’m sorry.

What the hell are you talking about?  It’s just cold feet.  That’s all.

Matt, I wish it was.  I’m not ready to get married.  We’re too young.  I want more out of life.  I’ve taken a job in Dublin.  I leave on Monday.

He backed away from her. You have it all worked out.  Don’t you? he whispered.

I’m so sorry.  I can’t marry you when I feel like this.  I think too much of you, she told him as she gave him back the diamond solitaire that, he had saved up for a year for.

He stared down at the stunning ring in his hand.  Tears filled his eyes and ran down his face.  She couldn’t look at him.  She had ripped out his heart and she hated herself for it.

I can’t believe this is happening.  I love you Katrina Walker.  I have since I was fourteen and I always will, he shouted before he turned heel and barged out of the front door.

Matt left for Ibiza two days later, to become a holiday rep for the summer season.

She left for Dublin, moved into a cosy flat and took a job in advertising.

She wasn’t planning on looking back.

* * *

Chapter One

Alexander

His eyes were closed and he was lying suspended, in that blissful state, hovering between, being asleep and not fully awake.  Soft, delicious kisses trailed across his naked body.  The kisses moved further down his body and he felt his long fingers twisting through silky curls, as he held a head close to his body.  This felt like heaven.  Little teasing licks and nibbles, pushing him further into ecstasy.  He sighed as the expert mouth moved ever closer.  Lower and lower.  Just a little bit more.  Delicious anticipation coursed through his veins.  His tongue darted out, to wet his dry lips.  The soft, hot mouth, continued down inching nearer and nearer to its goal.

Oh yes, he murmured, gripping the head even tighter.

The alarm clock rudely interrupted the moment and he swore loudly cursing its timing.

He opened a bleary eye and tried his best to focus. 

Grabbing his phone he read the time. 

It was 8.30am.

What? Jesus!

He looked down at the blonde head he was holding and quickly released it.

Move would you?  Err, I can’t remember your name.  Sorry, he shouted, pushing the anonymous female out of the way.

Leaping out of bed, he quickly showered, then sprinted back into his bedroom to dress.

Alex, what’s the rush?  Stay with me gorgeous, the naked blonde beauty said as she patted the bed, next to her.

For a minute, he thought about skipping work and spending the day in bed.  He remembered how good it had been last night, with whatever she was called, but he had too much work to do and he was the boss. 

It wasn’t an option to play hooky.

I would love to, but I must dash.  I’ll err, see you around.  Lock the door on the way out and post the key back through, he said, dropping a quick kiss on her cheek.

My name is Jade.  Call me Alex.  Please, she shouted, as he sprinted out of the bedroom.

Like that was going to happen.

He grabbed his car keys from the kitchen and headed out of the door.  After taking the lift down to the underground car park, he jumped into his brand new, black, Porsche 911 Carrera and turned the key in the ignition. 

Nothing happened. 

He tried again – nothing.

Someone give me a break, he shouted to the empty, car park.

Running out into the road, he hailed a taxi that took him to the centre of Dublin, to his office.

He ran through the empty reception and boarded a lift.  After exiting the lift, he burst through the doors of his top floor suite of offices and crashed straight into Trudy, his marketing executive.

Trudy was pretty and curvy, in all the right places.  Her long, blonde hair shone in the morning light and he had an urge to pull her to him and breathe in its delicate aroma.    

Good morning Alex.  Run out of razor blades have you? Trudy giggled. 

He had skipped shaving in his rush.

Morning Trudy and there’s nothing good about it, he grumbled as he rushed past her, to his large corner office.

Coffee? she shouted after him.

Yes, a gallon please.

He stared out at the stunning skyline and prayed that the day would get better. 

It was in fact, going to get a lot worse. 

Trudy placed a mug of steaming coffee down on his desk.

Alex, there’s something I need to tell you, she said quietly.

Oh, you’re not pregnant are you? he laughed, then blushed as he vividly remembered them together a month ago.  An image of her laying naked, spread out before him, flashed through his mind.  It had been a one off, at a conference in Sligo.  An immensely, satisfying, one off.    He smiled at the horny memory, licking his lips.  Desire for her rose in his body.  He pictured grabbing her and giving her one right here, right now, in his office.  Trudy had hinted at wanting more from him, but he was too absorbed in his work to give her anything more.  At the time they had slept together, he was seeing a model called Ruby.  It was off more that on and he realised he wasn’t that into her, when he had made the decision to sleep with Trudy.

What?  God no.  I’m going to live in London.  I’ve been offered a great job, she informed him.

I see.  When are you going?

In two weeks.  If that’s okay.

Trudy put her head down and couldn’t meet his gaze.

I’ll miss you, and not just for your coffee, he told her as his mouth twitched into a grin.

I’ll miss you too. You’re a great boss and you have many, hidden talents.  Your tongue, being one of them, she giggled.

Come here, he instructed her, opening his arms.

She unsurely stepped towards him.

He gently kissed her forehead and on an impulse, he tipped her head back and kissed her.  His tongue slid into her mouth.  He was feeling turned on from the earlier unfinished business and he needed satisfying, right now.  Trudy pushed her fingers through his thick hair and let out a low moan.  He could feel her breasts brushing against his chest and he grew harder, as she responded to his kiss.  He wanted her badly.  He started to kiss down her neck, tasting her delicious skin.  His budding erection throbbed uncomfortably, craving its sweet release.  His hands slid down her body and cupped her sweet arse. 

No Alex, don’t, she whispered, pushing him away.

Fat tears streaked her lovely face.

What’s wrong Trudy? he asked her, alarmed at her obvious upset.

We shouldn’t have done that.  I’m an idiot, she whispered, biting her lip nervously.

Why?  I thought you were enjoying it as much as I was.

I was.  Too much.  You really don’t know, do you?

Know what?  You’re scaring me now.

I know you’re my boss, but I love you, and that’s why I’m leaving.  I can’t have you, so I can’t be around you, she blurted.

She disappeared into the small shower room, located off his office and he heard the door lock. 

Her muffled sobs echoed around the room.

Oh, shit.

* * *

Katrina

They noisily clambered into her small, old banger of a car and set off.  She was going to into town with her best friend Sam.  They were laughing about a boy that appeared to be besotted with her and how cute he was, although she would never dare go out with him.  They travelled the same road that they had gone down thousands of times, giggling and enjoying the bright sunshine of the warm day.

Chasing Cars by Snow Patrol came on the radio.

Kat, turn it up.   I love this one, Sam said, reaching forward.

If I lay here.  If I just lay here.  Would you lay with me? Sam sang loudly and badly.

No one will lay with you, if you sing to them like that! Kat teased.

They stopped at a cross roads, waiting for the lights to turn to green.  The road was eerily quiet and a strange feeling came over her.  Something was off.  As the light turned from amber to green, Kat set off.  They moved slowly through the most notorious part of the road and suddenly out of nowhere, an ancient transit van that was travelling too fast, hit the passenger side of the car, sending it into a spin.  It turned over and over, landing on its roof.  Kat clamped her eyes shut and prayed for it to be over.  Eventually, the car came to an abrupt stand still and Kat stared at Sam, before she shook her shoulder and tried to wake her.

Sam! she shouted.

Everything went black.

She woke from the nightmare.  It always played out in the same way, with the same ending.

Her friend Sam, lying in her car. 

Dead.

After dragging her sweat slicked body into the shower, she quickly dressed and left her flat.

It was Monday morning and she hated Monday mornings. 

She also hated her job and her bitch of a boss.

She took a deep breath and pushed open the door to Vanessa’s office.

Finally.  I thought you had gone to Brazil for the coffee, Vanessa retorted sarcastically.

Her voice literally dripped with venom. 

Sorry Vanessa, Katrina told her boss, after biting back an equally sarcastic reply.

Shut the door on the way out, Vanessa instructed, without looking up from her paperwork.

She really needed another job.  Before long, she was going to wipe the smile off her Botox enhanced face.  She fantasised about it more and more frequently and it was the only thing that got her through the day.

Wearily sitting down at her desk, she logged on to the recruitment website that she constantly checked.  She scanned the pages for anything new.

Now this one looked interesting - A Marketing Executive position at The Callaghan Corporation.

She cautiously peered over the top of her computer to check that Vanessa was occupied, before she quickly applied for the position.

After she had done that, she had a quick snoop on their website.  A picture flicked up of Alexander Callaghan and she let out a low whistle.  He was over 6ft tall, with thick, very dark hair and intense, dark brown, almost black eyes.  A flush of desire passed through her.  She loosened the top button of her blouse and fanned her face with a magazine.  There was an air of mystery about him and she wondered what he was like, in the flesh.  He was certainly easy on the eye, although he wasn’t the type she was usually attracted to.  He was probably full of his own self-importance and a bit of a bastard.  Still, he was making heat rise in her body, as she admired his physique.

What are you doing? Vanessa snapped.

The bitch had sneaked up on her.

What?  Err nothing, she quickly replied, minimising the screen.

You were checking Mr Callaghan out weren’t you?

No, okay yes.

He’s good enough to eat and I know this from personal experience.  Let me tell you something, he wouldn’t look twice at the likes of you, Katrina Walker, she sneered, before she stalked past her desk.

She felt unwelcome heat rushing to her face, as she clenched her fists in anger.

What did she mean by personal experience?  Surely she couldn’t have slept with him?  Who the hell would want to shag her for fuck’s sake?

I’m going to lunch.  You can go when I get back and don’t forget to collect my dry cleaning, you useless girl.

Her stomach growled in protest at her neglect.

She waited until Vanessa was out of ear shot, before she let out a loud scream of frustration.

* * *

Alexander

Trudy had left that day, so he had to sort out a replacement for her as soon as possible.  He had tried to make amends, but she just kept crying and saying that she had to go.  He had no choice but to let her.

He didn’t love Trudy.  He really liked her, but he wasn’t interested in a long term relationship.  He didn’t want to let himself go and risk being hurt again.  Love was for fools and he wasn’t a fool.

She had said she would keep in touch and he gave her a glowing reference, for as well as being excellent in bed, she had also been excellent at her job. 

He would miss her around the place, but it was probably best that they cut their losses, as he was never going to be the man she wanted him to be.  He knew he was too much of a selfish, arrogant prick and she deserved better. 

The response to the advert for marketing executive had been staggering and he had managed to whittle it down to a shortlist of five.  The interviews were to be held at the Blue Cove Hotel, South of Dublin.  He loved the hotel and he felt relaxed and energised every time he spent time there.  It was the perfect place to hold the interviews and it was also a sneaky way of seeing if the candidates could stomach helicopter travel, as not everyone could.

As he flicked through the C.V.’s, he kept coming back to the same one.  Katrina Walker.  She was working for an advertising agency in Dublin at present and he knew her boss Vanessa, personally.  Far too personally, if truth be told.  He shuddered.

Katrina seemed to have vast experience in several jobs, but that could always mean that she was hard to handle. 

A bit like him really.

He casually logged onto Facebook to see if she had a profile, but there were seven Katrina Walkers in Dublin and he didn’t have a clue which one she was.  He knew which one he hoped it was – a slim, petite, auburn haired vixen, with the cheekiest smile.  Her curly hair grazed her shoulders and she had cornflower blue eyes, full lips, cheekbones you could probably cut bread on and breasts that looked to be of a perfect size.  He was usually attracted to leggy blondes – he was a walking cliché, but this girl was as cute as a button.  He idly wondered if her temper matched her flame tresses.  He quickly checked if her relationship status said engaged, or married. 

This Katrina Walker was single.

What are you playing at?  She’s applied for a job and nothing else.

He shut down his computer and smiled to himself, thoroughly looking forward to the next day.

* * *

Chapter Two

Katrina

The helicopter pitched sharply to the left and her stomach lurched painfully.  Katrina felt like she was in the spin cycle of a washing machine.  Clamping her eyes shut, she silently willed herself not to throw up on her new, charcoal grey suit.  She had well and truly thrashed her credit card, when she bought it on impulse, yesterday. 

We are nearly there, take a look to your left, the view is amazing, the pilot yelled into her headset.

Cautiously opening one eye, she leaned over and peered out of the helicopter.

He was right.

The view was to die for.

The Blue Cove stood proudly on the cliff tops.

Resplendent in its grandeur, the hotel was elegant and imposing.

She squeezed her eyes closed again, as the helicopter hovered over the landing dock.

After a bumpy jolt, it was thankfully all over.

Breathing a sigh of relief, she unbuckled her belt and took the pilot’s hand.

Watch the rotors, Miss Walker.

He quickly ushered her away from the noisy aircraft, towards a wide walk way that led to ancient, stone steps.

Smoothing her skirt down, she took a deep breath and entered