From Denver to Forever

By Cadence Vonn

After discovering her boyfriend is into kink—and not with her—Emily Jameson wants to know what all the hype is about. When a blizzard strands her in the Denver airport, she meets a man perfect for satisfying her curiosity—and more than a few desires—in a lovers-only relationship. But after their first toe-curling kiss, she wonders if the no-strings bargain they've made is a mistake.

Mark Blacke always goes after what he wants, and the moment he sees Emily, he wants her. Fulfilling her fantasies will be a pleasure. Why wouldn't it be when she wants hot as sin sex and no fetish is off-limits? Falling for her isn't part of the plan, but if he tells her how he feels, he fears he'll lose the woman of his dreams...

• Language: English
• Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
• Release date: Aug 26, 2019
• ISBN: 9781509227365

Cadence Vonn

Cadence has a BFA in photography and silversmithing. She is an accomplished doodler and daydreamer who discovered she enjoys writing down the stories that dance in her head. After many years in Pennsylvania her dream came true. She now resides with her husband on an island in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. She wakes every morning to a sunrise over the Puget Sound.

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You

From Denver to Forever

A Blacke Brothers Novel Book Two

by

Cadence Vonn

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales, is entirely coincidental.

From Denver to Forever

COPYRIGHT © 2019 by Cadence Vonn

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission of the author or The Wild Rose Press, Inc. except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

Contact Information: [e-mail]

Cover Art by Diana Carlile

The Wild Rose Press, Inc.

PO Box 708

Adams Basin, NY 14410-0708

Visit us at www.thewildrosepress.com

Publishing History

First Scarlet Rose Edition, 2019

Print ISBN 978-1-5092-2735-8

Digital ISBN 978-1-5092-2736-5

Published in the United States of America

Dedication

To all my readers. Thank you for choosing my stories.

PRAISE FOR AUTHOR

Cadence Vonn

PLAY A GAME WITH ME

"It all starts with a game! The book kept me on my toes. With every page I fell for the characters…

The climax was action filled, and if there was any anger around, the climax fixed that. Got to tell you, I am going to have a book hangover over this one.

~Five Stars, Long and Short Reviews

Chapter One

Mark swirled the scotch around in his glass, staring at the amber liquid as it sloshed over the ice and made golden sparks on the polished bar. He wasn’t much of a drinker. But the unexpected timing of a blizzard had closed the Denver airport ten minutes before his flight started to board, and he hadn’t much else to do but drown his frustrations with the rest of the trapped passengers. Around him, people dialed and redialed cell phones, attempting to reschedule flights, but by the angry voices, he figured no one was having any luck.

Hi. I’m sorry about the weather. A sweet, sexy voice said near his left side.

He looked over at the woman who sat down across the corner edge of the bar. She grinned and shrugged. Her smile was so endearing he smiled back. Why should you apologize for the weather?

No matter what I do, there’s always bad weather.

I won’t hold this storm against you. There’s probably a number of people here who have bad luck with the weather, me included. So we all caused this massive storm. Now what is a young woman like you doing in a bar? You can’t possibly be twenty-one.

Mark’s grin broadened when she huffed at him, yanked out her wallet, and flashed her ID in his face before showing it to the bartender.

A Shirley Temple, she said with a touch of humor when the bartender asked what she wanted. I might be old enough to drink, but I can’t stand the taste of most alcohol, and I’m sure they don’t have Royal Lochnagar as one of their scotches.

He shifted to face her. Discerning taste. A twenty-five-year-old scotch aficionado. I’m sure you’ll wrinkle your nose when I tell you I’m drinking Glenfiddich. You’ll probably want to move away from me so people don’t think we’re together.

On the contrary. Since I sat down, you haven’t taken a sip. I think you probably don’t care about the drink and just wanted something in your hand to make you look like you belong at a bar. The gold flecks in her eyes twinkled around the edge of turquoise when she smiled.

He leaned a little closer. Her perfume drifted in the air. A delicate scent of spring flowers made him take a deep breath. Damn, he’d like to bury his nose against her neck. He narrowed his gaze, claiming hers in a hypnotic hold. I’m curious what else you can tell about me.

Her smile turned impish. You’re unattached and have a decent job with no worries at the moment.

He sat back, surprised. Why do you think that?

No wedding band. She held up her hand to stop his next comment. I realize one can’t judge a situation from just the lack of a wedding band. But you’re not frantically calling about a new flight, and you aren’t on a phone talking to some person, telling them you’re so sorry you won’t be home tonight.

The beautiful blonde pushed a loose strand of hair back behind her ear and gave a slight shrug with the most beguiling smile he could imagine. Her shoulders and breasts were clad in a soft sweater that molded to the delicate curves and showed a hint of creamy skin at the V.

What about you? Do you have someone waiting for you?

No. Her face clouded over, and she glanced down at her drink, stirring the ice in an agitated spin before taking a sip through the long thin straw.

His phone rang. Hi, hope you have good news for me. He listened intently. Thanks, Dave. Talk to you tomorrow. He smiled over at the blonde.

Good news?

He nodded. My assistant couldn’t book me a room at the hotel here in the airport.

And that’s good news?

Sure. Now I get to sit here all night and talk to a beautiful woman. He saluted her with his glass and took a sip.

Oh, hell, I guess I better finish my drink and leave this seat so a beautiful woman will be able to sit down and talk with you.

He frowned. You do know I’m talking about you, right? Her serious demeanor left him wondering if she teased him.

You’re sweet, but I don’t classify myself as beautiful. Above average…maybe. Beautiful, definitely not. She took the cherry out of her drink and pulled it off the stem, giving him a shrug.

I’m not sure where you live, but I can’t imagine you’re only average. He scanned down her face and across her body, leaning around the corner of the bar to complete his perusal. From her defined shoulders and arms to a pair of slim legs perfectly proportioned and crossed to accentuate her sexy ankles, Mark couldn’t imagine a more beautiful woman. When his gaze met hers again, he grinned at the pink stain creeping up her neck to her cheeks.

Now that you’ve made your inspection, I’m sure you saw where I’m lacking the necessary curves to make me beautiful.

Nope. As a matter of fact, I observed a tantalizing body I’d like to see more of. He winced as his words hit his own ears. Hell, that probably seems creepy from a guy you don’t even know. He offered her his hand. I’m Mark. He held still while her gaze settled on his offer.

I’m Emily, she said at last and shook his hand.

Nice to meet you, Emily. Where do you hail from that has extraordinarily beautiful women?

She chuckled, shook her head, and looked down at her hands, away from his admiring gaze. I’m from Annapolis. And you?

Hershey. Were you heading to Philadelphia as well?

Yes. My dad was supposed to pick me up, but obviously we won’t get there anytime soon. She glanced at the window now covered in blowing snow. He wasn’t happy I didn’t catch the flight into Baltimore. She released a quiet snort.

He was that mad?

Oh, yeah. He didn’t want me to make this trip in the first place. So the storm added another layer to his I-told-you-so.

Let me guess. He didn’t want you following your boyfriend, who moved to Colorado?

She shook her head.

He didn’t want you to interview for a job in Denver?

Again she shook her head, sipped her drink; a secret smile formed on her face.

He didn’t like you coming to Denver to try your first legal puff of marijuana.

That got a full open grin and laugh from her. You’ll never guess.

Tell me, then.

My sister, Julie, and her partner, Annie, got married this past week. My father and brothers didn’t approve and refused to come. So I boarded a plane for the first time in my life and flew here to support my sister.

I get it. Baby of the family with overprotective siblings and father.

Bingo.

I bet they even warned you not to talk to strangers in the airport. He tried to maintain a friendly smile, instead of a wolfish grin.

They did. She moved a shoulder in a brief sexy twist. Mark wondered why he’d never noticed that piece of anatomy on other women. Emily’s graceful movement made him want to caress down over their soft curves and trace a line to the visible cleavage.

Defiant little thing, aren’t you?

Up until two months ago, I’d have said no. But when I walked into my apartment and found my best friend tied to her bed, and my boyfriend playing Christian Grey with her, I realized I was living my life according to unrealistic dreams of others. You know, go to college, get a good job, and find a husband.

Ouch. What did you do?

I’m sure not what you’d expect.

I’d expect you to throw things at them, then pack your bags and move out.

Nope. I stood and watched.

Mark let his drink slip out of his hand and thunk on the bar.

I told you it wasn’t what you’d expect. They were so into the music and the sex they had no idea I stood there frozen to the spot. Part of my mind told me to scream, but the other part had me wondering why he never did that with me. Emily’s voice hitched. With a rattle of the ice, she pulled the last bit of her drink up the straw, making a slurping noise.

Mark waited for her to continue. Anger and sadness warred across her face. He wanted to know what had happened next, but he didn’t push her to talk. His patience paid off when she lifted her head, the corners of her mouth losing their upward curl.

When they came out of their sex-induced comas and found me sitting in the living room, they admitted they’d fallen for each other. He found he liked to dominate a woman in bed. She let out a loud snort. He told me I wasn’t the type of woman men did that sort of thing with. Anyway, the next day, they were gone. My roommate sent her brothers to collect her things, and left me with an apartment I couldn’t afford on my own. So I moved back to my dad’s house in Annapolis and started looking for a new job.

How’s that working out for you? He was pretty sure he knew the answer—not well.

My dad and brothers would like me to leave again, so they keep trying to fix me up with men they know—fishermen who love to drink and play cards. There isn’t any attraction on my part. Emily played with the ice in her glass, trying to find some liquid.

How about another drink?

Sure, this time make it a double Shirley Temple. Do you think they serve food?

Mark signaled the bartender. They ordered new drinks and two cheeseburgers with fries.

"So you don’t like their husband choices. What do you want in one?"

"I don’t want a husband. I’ve been down the boyfriend route, which supposedly would lead to marriage. It didn’t. So instead of doing what others convinced me was best for me, I’m doing what I want."

That is? He raised his eyebrow.

She glanced around, then gave him a conspiratorial look. I’m only looking for a lover. One with a hint of kink.

Mark choked on his sip of scotch. The idea of her tied to a bed flashed across his mind. Any luck so far?

Not really. I don’t have the nerve to approach a guy and tell him I want to sleep with him without strings. Oh, and tie me up while we’re at it.

Most guys would rate that the best pick-up line ever. If he were a lesser man, he’d be one of them. But there was more to her—and to him—than that. But maybe the reason you can’t find the nerve is you don’t really want to sleep around. I bet if you found a guy who had the skills of Mr. Grey without all the submissive-baggage shit, you’d enjoy being with the man.

She cocked her head. Her brow crinkled, and she set down her burger. How do you suggest I find such a man?

He contemplated his answer. He’d do Emily over and over and was pretty sure he’d enjoy every minute they spent together. From his standpoint, the chemistry was instant, and he’d love to taste her lips, lick off the hint of ketchup clinging to the bottom one. He held her gaze and stroked his finger over the back of her hand. The blue of her eyes darkened, and she sucked in her breath.

Do you find me attractive?

She nodded and swallowed hard.

Then your problem is solved. I’m unattached, and the moment you sat down, I was attracted to you. We live close enough to each other to meet on weekends and spend time exploring each other’s bodies.

****

Emily looked down at his strong fingers, now playing with her hand. The instant she’d seen him smile, she wanted his lips trailing kisses down her neck. She took a deep breath. A hint of his sandalwood and her lavender mixed around her, creating an erotic blend. How brave was she? She scanned the bar. Out of all the men here, Mark won the hottest hunk award.

Do I measure up against all the other guys? His deep azure eyes narrowed when she nodded.

You’re the best-looking guy in the place.

Then what do you have to lose? We have a good time together until we don’t. Isn’t that what you want?

She shivered. Her heart beat out the words yes, yes, yes. Yes. Exactly. No one gets hurt when we call it quits.

Deal. This time his grin turned seductive, and she imagined him keeping her in bed for a long, long time.

She couldn’t wait.

Come on. He plunked down a few twenties. If you’re finished with your sandwich, we can scout out a quiet corner of the airport where we can talk, maybe watch a movie on my tablet before we try to sleep.

She slipped off her stool and took hold of her wheeled carry-on. She followed him out of the bar as they walked toward the row of shops. He went in and grabbed one of the few souvenir blankets left on the shelf, along with two bottles of water and a bag of Twizzlers.

Nothing like candy and a movie. You wouldn’t happen to have an off-the-shoulder sweater in your carry-on? He wiggled his eyebrows at her.

Sort of. It’s an off-the-shoulder sweater dress. Why?

I have this overwhelming urge to see your shoulders bare. Change for me while I head into the men’s room and get out of this suit.

She hesitated.

Mr. Grey would have commanded it. Do you want me to demand?

She shook her head and darted into the ladies’ room. Her heart squeezed the breath from her lungs as she locked the stall door and unbuttoned her blouse. She rested her forehead against the cool metal to regain her composure. This was exactly what she’d fantasized about. Damn. Insanity came to mind as she changed.

With shaking hands, she shimmied out of her skirt, stuffed the things in her suitcase, and removed the cashmere black dress. She dug around in the bag, looking for her strapless bra. She slapped her forehead. The damn thing was hanging in the bathroom at her sister’s house. Shit. This dress would show any straps she might try to hide. Reluctantly, she removed her bra and pulled the dress on. If she wore it low enough, she might be able to spread out the rolled collar so it camouflaged her bare breasts.

She twisted from side to side, looking at her reflection in the full-length mirror. She cringed. Digging through her suitcase again, she yanked out her black thong. Panty lines wouldn’t do. That taken care of, she unhooked her ponytail and let her long blonde hair hang down the front of her body to help hide her excited nipples. Focus on something other than Mark’s lips. With her head held high, she ignored her coat slung over the handle of her suitcase and strutted out of the bathroom. A confident woman instead of a scared mouse was in order.

A low wolf whistle sounded from near the door. She turned and spied Mark relaxing against the wall. What was it about a man in a tight black T-shirt that turned her on? His soft, well-loved blue jeans clung to him, giving her a glimpse of his sudden thrill at seeing her. He scanned her body and pushed off the wall, moving with the grace of a ninja.

He strode right into her space and whispered, Before this night is over, you’ll be so hot and bothered we’ll wish we had a room. Without waiting for her to respond, he took hold of her suitcase and pulled it toward the closest gate. He maneuvered them through the crowd of people until they came to an empty corner away from all the seats. She trotted behind him, enjoying his take-charge demeanor, not to mention his sexy ass.

I bought my future sister-in-law a Bronco’s souvenir. He pulled out the orange blanket with the horse-head logo in the middle. I don’t think she’d mind if we sat on it. He spread it out in the corner and then moved their suitcases so they created a partial wall between them and the other people. He lowered himself to sit with his back in the corner.

Now open the blanket I just bought, sit between my legs, and cover us so we can both enjoy the warmth.

An intake of breath settled the sudden flutter in her stomach. He held out his hand to assist her, and she lowered down into position.

The soft, navy-colored blanket was large enough to cover them. Are we going to watch a movie? She resisted leaning against his body.

Relax. He nestled her closer and stroked his fingers across her bare shoulder, causing a stifled moan to leave her mouth when she pressed against his hard chest. What do you want to watch? I can get anything that’s on the cable channels as well as Netflix.

A comedy. Anything to keep her mind off all the hardness against her back.

"How about Guardians of the Galaxy?"

I love that movie. She nodded enthusiastically.

Me too. He tapped the screen on his tablet, and the movie credits started to play. He reached for her legs and swung them over his thigh. With one more move, he cradled her against him and pulled the blanket over her body so only her neck and head showed.

Comfortable? he asked as he cuddled her; one hand grasped her ribcage, right below her breast.

Mm. She hummed her satisfaction, trying to keep her eyes open against the warmth and safety of his arms. I’ll be asleep in no time I’m so comfortable. Are you okay?

More than okay. The only thing I regret now is my assistant didn’t get a room. His