Within Reach

By HL Packer

Jess
The quiet lull between Christmas and New Year is barely more than a memory already, and it’s only New Years Eve.
And, whilst I wasn’t looking for love, when he bumbled through that doorway, I knew there was something special about him.
A spark.
A connection.
Something that not even I could deny.

Andrew
A last-minute change of plans. Family that can’t be bothered. Doesn’t that say everything you need to know about the start of my New Years Eve?
It was a chance encounter with a woman, one I’d like to get to know more... intimately.
One night is all she wants, it’s all I’m offering. But what happens when one night isn’t enough?

When Fate intervenes and twists our time together, casting light on things that have been hidden for years, will she stay? Can I keep her safe?

• Language: English
• Publisher: HL Packer
• Release date: Feb 25, 2022
• ISBN: 9781005971885

Book preview

Prologue

Andrew

"I know it’s last minute, but is there any chance you’ve got a VIP table available? I ask, shutting the computer down. My plans have changed."

That’s one way to put it.

I knew Devon was going to be at his works thing, it’s the same deal every damn year, but I at least thought I could count on my brothers for a beer. Apparently not.

How many is it for? the bar manager asks, papers shuffling in the background.

Just me. I’ll have two of my security team with me and I’ll need access via your staff entrance rather than the main entrance.

You’re a big deal then, huh? he asks.

Something like that, I reply through grit teeth.

It’s not so much me as my family, but I’ve managed to fly under the radar for the last three years. I don’t plan on headlining again any time soon.

I’m fully booked I’m afraid, he replies, a door slamming in the background.

There’s nothing you can do at all? I sigh. I’m happy to set a minimum spend, table fee, or whatever you need." There’s no way in hell I’m spending the first night of the year at home, alone. No way in hell.

Give me two minutes.

The hope I feel with those four words is more than I expected.

The start of a New Year, at a new bar. Good things are coming.

One

Jess

"S o, what time should I expect you?" Faith asks as I balance the phone on my shoulder, typing as I do.

Huh? Expect me where?

At Indigo. Tonight. Don’t tell me you forgot, she sighs. Come on, it’s New Year’s Eve.

Shit.

I dunno… I stall. What time is it now? I ask, looking at the stack of pages on my desk.

Seven. Just admit it, you forgot.

No, no. Of course I didn’t. I just… got caught up at work. The time ran away with me, that’s all. I’ll be there in like… an hour and a half, two hours tops.

If I fly through this lot, there’s half a chance I’ll make it there in time. It’ll be the quickest shower and change ever known to man but… I can do it.

Two hours? she asks, the smirk on her face and the arch of her eyebrow as clear to me as if she was sat right here.

Yep. Now, let me get these documents finished so I can get my ass over to you. Because there’s way more here than I thought there was.

Sure thing, Jess. I’ll see you in a couple of hours. Champagne is on ice, so don’t be late.

I won’t be. I hope. Two hours. Indigo. I’m your girl, I confirm. For myself as much as her.

See you soon, she sings, ending the call.

Fuck, I mutter, sliding my phone into the drawer. If I’m going to get this done and get there on time, I can’t afford any more distractions.

The glass is cool in my hand, the bubbles gently rising as I look out across the busy room. It’s no great surprise that it’s heaving tonight, I mean, New Years is a big thing, right? Everyone out in their best clothes, hoping to meet the love of their life or some other sappy shit.

But it’s a massive contrast to the almost-perfect week I’ve had. The lull between Christmas and New Year. Quiet office, quiet traffic. The kind of peace I could do with at least three times a week. If only I could’ve had Faith and Cassidy; my besties, here, that would have made it perfect.

More perfect than the mediocre job I did of my barely-there makeup. Self-consciously I run my hand through the short length of my hair, adjusting a strand here and there as I sip the crisp champagne.

The intro drops on ‘Dance Monkey’ by Tones and I, and the dance floor fills up with groups of women dancing and enjoying themselves, their heads thrown back and hands in the air. Guys loiter around, likely waiting for their girlfriends or choosing their partner for the New Year’s moment. You know the one, when the countdown ends and you find the closest person to stick your face to. Cringe. I hate it.

The desperation. The expectation. I have absolutely no desire to start off my new year with some random persons face smashed to mine. No thank you.

Now, if there were some hottie I was with, that would be different. But I’m not looking for a relationship at the moment. I am, in fact, avoiding them as much as possible. There is no need to go tying myself up in someone else’s life. I tried that once before, it didn’t end well. Now, I’ll just stick with enjoying myself and not worrying about it, and if someone fun comes along, then I’m all for it.

My purse vibrates against my leg. Who the hell would be ringing me at this time? My mum always says any phone call after nine p.m. is trouble, so who died? Or who is looking for a booty call? Can’t be that, not on New Years’ eve anyway.

Fishing the phone from my clutch-bag its Cassidy’s hilarious picture smiling up at me. With her tongue sticking out and blonde curls flying wild, it is quintessential Cassidy. Quickly answering, I shout into the phone over the sound of the blaring music, Two minutes, Cass, let me just borrow an office.

Grabbing the bartenders arm mid-pour, I yell over the bar. Jase, can I borrow your office for five minutes? Knowing that attempting to reply and be heard is a complete waste of time, he just nods in the right direction whilst handing me the keys from his pocket. Got to be a few bonuses to being the boss’s bestie.

Quickly heading round the end of the bar and through the staff-only-doors, I make my way down the well-lit corridor to the last office on the left. The heavy lock thuds as I twist the key, double-checking that no one else is here as I enter and lock it behind me before making myself comfortable on the sofa.

Throwing my feet up on the coffee table, a blissful relief washes over me. Maybe the sky-high heels were not such a good idea tonight, even if they are really cute.

Okay, I’m yours, what the hell is so important that you had to break up New Year’s Eve? I ask.

A good twenty minutes later, I realise that a whole lot is up. Cassidy went online looking for info on her new boyfriend... I mean, really? Who even does that? She said she wanted to surprise him with something special for a family friend, which meant she couldn’t just ask him.

So, she went searching through Facebook and Instagram. And when she got nowhere, she searched Google in desperation. Turns out, that was a big fucking mistake and she got more than she was bargaining for. Her billionaire boyfriend resides in a world she had no idea about and spiralled into some kind of self-deprecating cycle that took me fifteen minutes to get her out of.

"Oh, why is he so wonderful? How will his family ever accept me? I don’t deserve him. He’ll just leave me when he realises I’m nothing special." Blah blah fucking blah.

Let’s be fair here, she’s fucking hot, with the most gorgeous olive skin that looks like she has a natural tan all year round. What I wouldn’t give for that. Pale skin is the bane of my existence. She’s slim and cute, always has a smile on her face. It doesn’t matter that she is a high-flying solicitor these days, she will always be the happy-go-lucky girl I met at university five years ago.

Anyway, I eventually talked her round to something like a reasonable state of mind, only for him to walk in on her mid-conversation. What a complete cluster fuck of a situation that one was.

I left her to figure out her next move at that point, and as the call closes out on my phone, the time flashes back up. Ten to Twelve. Shit. I best get back out there before Jason closes the bar up for their break.

Slipping the silver heels back on my feet, I adjust the wrap straps around my calf until they’re comfortable and make my way back out to the corridor. Pushing the door open, it bounces back in my face like it’s just struck the wall.

Shit.

The keys fall in the doorway as it bangs into me, again.

Fucking hellfire, what was that?

I know the plan was to close the bar and for the staff to take a break over midnight, but I wasn’t expecting them to be hiding out silently in front of a fire escape. Irritated, I grip the door and slam it closed before looking up to the broad shoulders and back of a guy.

Jeez, woman, what the hell was that for?

His rough voice is dripping sex. It’s the kind of worn sound you get from belting out songs on a stage for two hours, or from smoking forty cigarettes a day, although he certainly doesn’t smell like he smokes forty a day. It’s gravelly and rough, and I feel it all the way down to my toes.

Tamping down the irritation, I lock the door before turning to face him.

I’m really sorry about that, I didn’t know anyone was out here.

Confusion laces my tone as I double-check there actually isn’t anyone else out in the corridor. I certainly wasn’t expecting to walk right into someone, and there’s nothing but the emergency exit down here anyway.

How did you even get down here? Are you lost? I ask, taking in the broad shoulders once again.

He’s not in a standard INDIGO black shirt, no black trousers; so, he’s not staff, just a pair of amazing, ass-hugging, dark-blue jeans. I mean, that’s a good ass, and those are good shoulders. The kind you could grab and hold on to whilst he pounds you into a wall, or over a table, or a desk, or anything at all if you thought hard enough about it. A blush rushes to my cheeks.

No, I’m not bloody lost, he snaps, irritation running through his voice as he continues. I’m coming in through the emergency exit.

Coming in through the emergency exit? He turns to face me and my eyes are drawn to big, tanned hands, a plethora of leather cuffs at the wrist. His white shirt sleeves are pulled partway up to make way for them as he cradles his mobile phone in his hands.

His face lifts from inspecting his mobile phone. Slowly and meticulously his ice-blue eyes drag up from my toes to my eyes, his gaze sizzling along my skin as it goes. It is as if he is dissecting and analysing the offering before him. His mouth tips up slightly at one side, somewhere between a smirk and approval.

He’s all light-stubble with a cut jaw and a mostly disapproving stare. He runs his hand through thick blonde hair, cropped short at the sides, as he scrubs it down to rub the back of his neck.

"Why the hell are you coming in the emergency exit?" I ask.

The confusion in my tone is clearly not helping the situation as those grey-blue icy eyes snap to mine, a flicker of recognition running through them. Did it suddenly get ten degrees hotter in here?

Jessica? He almost sounds relieved. Jeez, woman, where the hell are you going in such a hurry?

I’m really sorry, but have we met before? I ask.

We have. He chuckles. I’m Andrew. Devon’s housemate. The rumble of his laughter reverberates through his chest and into me as he leans in my direction. We met the other week, he prompts. And you spent half the night chatting with my brother.

I release the breath I didn’t realise I was holding as recognition flows over me. The pre-Christmas catch up with Cassidy. Devon, his friend and the twins!

Nick, apparently this guy’s brother, spent forever trying to explain graphic design to me, and there were shots. Cassidy and I spent way too much time on the dance floor, there were more shots and the night got messy. The hangover I had the next day was horrendous.

Thank goodness you’re not some crazy stalker man, I bark out on a laugh.

Surprise at my own words must cover my face as I try and explain my faux pas away.

Erm, not that you look crazy, or like a stalker, or anything. I awkwardly shuffle my weight from one foot to the other. Please someone just come and save me. "Just erm, it’s still a bit weird to be coming in an emergency exit. And is your phone okay? What did I hit? Are you okay?"

My mouth continues to run as his lack of reply makes the nerves kick in. Anything to fill the void of sound.

It didn’t catch you in the face or anything? No, your face looks great, amazing, fantastic. Well, you know, as faces go.

I take a deep breath, bringing my hands to my face to cover the embarrassment that must be evident. Oh God, what did I just say?

---

Andrew

The laughter leaps from me, unchecked and unbound, following her word explosion. Any irritation at being knocked by the door completely vanishes. She only caught my hands anyway, my phone didn’t even land on the floor.

It was the shock of the door opening more than the contact that threw me, and I certainly wasn’t expecting her to be stood on the other side of it either. Before I have the chance to formulate a response, the double doors straight ahead open, and a thin dark-haired guy pops his head round.

J, what’re you doing? Come on, I’m closing up.

Shit, I forgot they close the bar here briefly just before midnight. How long have we been stood out here? I’m sure I had more time than this to sneak in and grab a drink.

Shit, I’ve got your keys, Jess replies, waving her hands. Coming.

She takes a couple of steps towards the door before turning on those spikey heels to face me. The bar is closing up, but I’ve got a bottle on chill, if you want to join me?

Smiling, I nod, gesturing for her to lead the way. Poor little Nicky spent the entire drive home chattering my ear off about her. "Jess is one of the best solicitors in town, Jess’ hair is so nice, Jess has the best tits I’ve ever seen."

Now, let’s be fair here, he’s not seen many pairs of tits. He’s a nineteen-year-old kid who’s just moved out of Mummy and Daddy’s house. He’s a good-looking guy, he’s related to me, so what do you expect? But he has absolutely zero game. It comes as no surprise that Jess left him high-and-dry at the end of the night.

Following her stiletto heels through the double doors is no task. Slim, toned legs and a pert little ass, barely covered by a dark blue sheath of a dress with no back. The sleeves come down to her elbows and it’s cut high at the front, giving no hints as to what hides beneath the light fabric. And I’d like to navigate what lies underneath there.

Despite Nick’s ramblings on the journey home, I spent more time than I’d like to admit watching her on that dance floor. She definitely seemed like she was up for a good time when we met last, and tonight is all about a bit of fun.

Making my way through the double doors, she hands a bunch of keys over to the guy who trades them off for a champagne flute with a tip of his head. He pulls the glass partition down, sealing the bar, and locks the door behind him as she follows him to one of the tallboy tables in front of the bar. I guess that makes him the bar manager I spoke with earlier on.

Nodding to Derek; my head of security, positioned at the other side of the room, I search for the direction Jess went in.

By the time he and I make it to the table, Jess is engrossed in conversation with a slim dark-haired woman. Jess’ head moves to the side slightly and I’m met with a very interested pair of green eyes peeking from behind her. I give her my most seductive smile as she comes out from behind Jess and goes over to the bar manager, her hands running temptingly up his arm.

Jess fills and offers me a glass of champagne as I join them at the table, intentionally brushing up against the warmth of her skin as I do so. She doesn’t pull away from the contact. In fact, the heat of her body draws nearer as she leans into me. The tingle from where our fingers connect as I take the flute from her is electric, zinging through me as her gaze snaps to mine.

Her face tilts up to mine at the contact, confusion swimming with something else in her eyes. The resulting smile isn’t wide or big, it doesn’t showcase every tooth and she doesn’t throw her head back in laughter. Her smile is meek, demure, almost shy.

As the DJ begins the final countdown of the year, I realise just how late we are coming in here. Ten… Nine… Eight… Seven… I should have arrived earlier on, but then I might not have crossed paths with Jess again, and she certainly looks like she could be fun.

Six… Five… Four… I wrap my arm around her petite waist, testing the waters, but she doesn’t pull away. Her hand comes to rest on my pec as she looks up into my eyes.

Three… Two… One… I sweep her round in front of me. It might be a little presumptuous, but it’s midnight and everyone is looking for that first kiss of the year.

I don’t usually go for the cheesy moments; New Years, Valentines, etc. It's expected. Nothing is exciting or fun about expected. But standing next to this woman, at this moment, feels a little like fate.

Of all the people I could run into tonight, it would be one that I have met before, one that I enjoyed time with before. One that would look really fucking good wrapped around me later on.

Jess smiles as she peeks up at me through long dark lashes and the bar goes wild, everyone celebrating the first moments of the new year. And yet here, at this moment, there is stillness. A quiet to the chaos that surrounds us. I reach down to her, bringing my lips gently to hers.

Just a taste, barely a whisper of a kiss. Bringing one hand up to cradle the back of her head, threading my fingers through the short length of her soft dark hair as she draws closer to me. The brief touch is not enough as she pushes against me, demanding more.

Her grip on my shirt tightens as she tries to direct the kiss. Pulling her closer against me, her hand trapped between us, chest-to-chest as my hand drops down to get hold of that amazing arse. I control the connection, not her.

Her head tilts as I deepen the kiss, heat flushing through me as her tongue tangles with my own. She gives as I take from her, relaxing into my hold, moulding herself to my body. Her nails briefly sink into the base of my neck before I release her, leaving her hot, wet and breathless.

The chaos of the bar crowds back in to my awareness. People everywhere, her friends stood right next to us, doing their best to avoid the prominent display of sex between us. The bar manager claps his hand on my shoulder with a, Happy New Year, man, breaking the tension of the moment. Jess releases me, her breathing still heavy and a flush covering her neck and cheeks as she hugs her friend.

I best not take some of that action, her green-eyed friend comments as she gives me a celebratory embrace. But happy new year, Andrew. I’m Faith.

Getting hold of the bar manager again, I ask, Hey, man, this is nice, but Champagne isn’t exactly my bag. Can I grab a Johnnie Walker on the rocks when you open back up? He nods, pulling me back in. Sure thing. Just gimme five minutes with my girl, yeah?

It’s his bar, he doesn’t need to ask me for permission, but I appreciate that he isn’t just going to roll over and open the bar up because I asked. Some things are worth waiting a little time on; like a decent whiskey and a good woman. And while his girl looks like a little firecracker, I’ve got my eyes on another dark-haired beauty. One that tastes like sex and looks like she’s about ready to mount me where I stand.

The next hour seems to fly, and drag, all at the same time. The club is unsurprisingly busy, so the girls opted to join me in the VIP area, just a nice quiet snug away from the rest of the world. Somewhere they can dance unreservedly without the masses pawing at them.

And boy, do they dance. Even my security isn’t enough to keep the eyes away from them as they slide seductively against each other. Luckily, there are fewer people up in the VIP area, and they know very well to keep their eyes and hands to themselves. I wouldn’t have trusted anyone on that dance floor, that’s for sure.

The more time I spend watching her erotic performance on the dance floor, the more I think back to that kiss. I need to get her out of here. I need to get her alone where I can spend some time learning every delicate curve of her body and becoming intimately acquainted with the feel, taste and smell of her.

I want to absorb her, drink her in, bask in the glow when she explodes all over me, over and over again. I add a bottle of champagne to the order before closing out my tab, signing the slip without even bothering to look at the figure.

Hooking my finger, I call her back to the table, her hooded eyes tracking the movement as she smirks in my direction. She’s been watching, waiting, whispering to her friend all evening. No doubt deciding if this is what she wants.

It is.

She’s been dancing for me all night; she thinks it’s for herself. She thinks that the seductive dance she has been portraying is about feeling good and having a good time. But it’s about attracting me. The start of the foreplay back and forth that we’ve been doing.

They both return to the table, gliding across the floor effortlessly, despite the heels and the hours of dancing they’ve done.

You ready? I ask.

It’s time to get that dress off her and find out what her skin feels like in my hands. The tilt of her smirk and the crinkle in her eyes shows she’s just playing with me as she replies.

Cocky much?

It’s not cocky when it’s happening, it’s confident. I hold my hand out to her. Your friend can keep the table, there’s another bottle paid for.

Her hand slips into mine as I pull her in close. If you want to stay and drink with your friend, this is your opportunity. This is her one out. Once she leaves this place with me, she is mine. She looks over to Faith, a small smile playing over her face.

My breath skitters across her neck, goosebumps breaking out in their wake as I whisper to her. Or you can come with me.

Her eyes twinkle in the dim