Goodbye isnt forever, p.1
Goodbye Isn't Forever, page 1
Goodbye Isn’t Forever
by
Melanie Blake
Goodbye Isn’t Forever is a work of fiction.
Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s
imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons,
living or dead, events or locales, is entirely coincidental.
Copyright © 2016 by Melanie Blake
All Rights Reserved.
Published in the United States of America 2016
Cover Designer: BetiBup33 Design
(betibup33@gmail.com)
No parts of this electronic book may be reproduced or copied in any form
without the written consent of the author.
Acknowledgements
I would like to take a moment to thank all of those that have either helped or encouraged me along my journey for this endeavor. My family and friends are simply the best. Thank you for being there and lending an ear. I know I have my moments.
I managed to coerce a few friends to take a break from their busy lives and be my first readers. Their input has been invaluable. Suzanne, Elaine, Dawn, and Kelly, I can’t thank you all enough. Your support and honesty is greatly appreciated. Thankfully, my indecisiveness is over. For now. I think.
Dedication
To my son, Joshua. My love for you is immeasurable.
Thank you for your input. You are one of one. I love you.
In love and memory of my parents, who never discouraged my dreams.
I only wish that they could be here to see me reach mine.
I will miss them forever.
Since you always liked to read “racy” novels, Mom,
this one’s for you.
Synopsis
Time can change people, but can it change love…
Was there really a Mr. Right? Alexandra Kensington often wondered. She mixed and mingled with some of society’s most alluring men, but none seemed to hold her interest. Not since…well, why go there? Who meets Mr. Right at 18? No one, that’s who! Besides, she had forgotten him. Long forgotten his name. She never thought of Zand Gabriel. Almost never. Almost.
Zand Gabriel had finally set in motion his dreams. It hadn’t been easy. Not when he had been expected to step into his father’s successful shoes. He had given up everything to please his father. Everything. Including the only girl that he had ever loved. Maybe that was a strong word. Who falls in love at 18? No one, that’s who! And sometimes, he almost believed it. Almost.
Table of Contents
Acknowledgements
Dedication
Synopsis
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER SIX
CHAPTER SEVEN
CHAPTER EIGHT
CHAPTER NINE
CHAPTER TEN
CHAPTER ELEVEN
CHAPTER TWELVE
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
CHAPTER NINETEEN
CHAPTER TWENTY
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
CHAPTER THIRTY
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT
CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE
CHAPTER FORTY
CHAPTER FORTY-ONE
CHAPTER FORTY-TWO
CHAPTER FORTY-THREE
CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR
CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE
CHAPTER FORTY-SIX
CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN
CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT
CHAPTER FORTY-NINE
About the Author
CHAPTER ONE
The dimly lit club offered little to illuminate the latest patron. Alexandra Kensington squinted to get a better glimpse of the newcomer. If her eyes didn’t deceive her, then this guy was gorgeous! Looking at her full bottle of beer, she grabbed it and quickly poured some into an empty glass on her table. Ignoring the curious glances from her friends, she took one last sip of her ice cold beer, and sauntered toward the bar, angling her body to watch the stranger. With the bottle of beer dangling from her hand, Alex, as she was known to her friends, slowed her pace when she saw the stranger take a few steps forward and then braced herself for the inevitable collision. She felt the slight bump against her left hand as he ran into her and immediately loosened her grip on the bottle, watching helplessly as it fell to the floor.
“Oh, my God! I am so sorry,” the dark-haired man exclaimed, already bending down to pick up the dropped bottle of beer. As he handed it toward Alex, his eyes widened as he looked into the most beautiful eyes he had ever seen. Long, dark lashes framed a pair of clear, hazel eyes and all he could do was stare.
Alex was all set to launch into her best pick-up line, but, when she gazed into the dark brown eyes of the stranger, words failed her. A small smile tugged at the corners of her mouth as she continued to stare into the soft, dark pools.
Seeing the hint of a grin on Alex’s face, the stranger freed himself from the trance and slowly shook his head. He glanced at his hand and realized that he still held the near empty bottle of beer. Funny, he thought, I don’t remember picking it up. As his eyes traveled past the bottle, he became aware of Alex’s body. He allowed his eyes to peruse the long legs and moved upwards, taking in her curve-hugging red dress, full breasts that were tauntingly displayed in the plunging neckline, and a beautiful face framed by shoulder length blonde hair. He swallowed hard as his gaze settled on soft, full lips before meeting the sardonic gaze of Alexandra Kensington.
“See anything you like?” Alex cocked her head sideways. The motion drew the man’s attention and Alex slowly raised an eyebrow.
Deciding the question wasn’t rhetorical, the tall stranger cleared his throat and wondered why he suddenly felt like a stammering adolescent. The blonde, he realized, was an extraordinary beauty, and one he didn’t want to scare away. He allowed his gaze to travel around the club before returning slowly back. He gave the blonde a sly grin before leaning forward and whispering seductively, “I see nothing that compares to you.” Alex felt a shudder run through her as the last words were uttered.
“Oh?” she managed to ask, looking around as well.
He decided to move this repartee a little further along. Taking a few steps forward and depositing the bottle of beer on a nearby table, he turned back towards Alex and merely held out his hand.
“Dance with me?”
Alex allowed herself to be led to the dance floor and marveled at how deftly the tables had been turned. She had her little seduction scenario already playing in her head. After the gorgeous stranger fell all over her trying to repay her for the dropped bottle of beer, she would allow him to buy her a drink, possibly two, and then say she should be going and needed a cab. Of course, the stranger would feel indebted to drive her home, and the rest would be bragging rights. What the hell happened?
She allowed her gaze to travel to her table, and thankfully, to her preoccupied friends. At least no one was watching. All bets would be off if any of them saw her being led.
Damn it! Alex thought angrily. She was never led! Who did this guy think he was?
Just as Alex was about to drop the man’s hand and change tactics, he slowed and turned around, facing her. He smiled as he pulled Alex close and let his hands settle on her waist. The music had flowed into a slow ballad, and Alex was left with little choice but to touch this alluring stranger. As she lightly let her hands rest on his broad shoulders, she felt them shake.
“What?” she prompted, wondering what had amused him.
He chuckled. “Are you afraid to get closer?”
Alex, feeling a little agitated at being called out, let her arms encircle the taut, muscular neck. For an instant, she marveled at how well they fit together. She could feel their thighs lightly touching, and before Alex could plot out her next move, she felt the man chuckling again. As she tried to lean back to look into his eyes, Alex felt his hands tighten on her waist.
“I was going to say that you didn’t have to worry because I don’t bite, but…”
“But what?” Alex whispered, finding her lips tantalizingly close to his ear. She felt the shiver of the man in her arms and couldn’t suppress a smug grin.
“But you might be the exception.”
Alex pulled back and gazed questioningly into the twinkling brown orbs. “You want to bite me?”
The stranger pulled her against him, and leaning down, breathed into her ear, “Maybe not bite exactly…but nibble? Yes, I would like to nibble. Maybe here...”
Alex felt his lips lightly touch her neck. Just as quick she felt a sharp graze from teeth followed by feathery kisses. Another vibration rumbled in his chest as he laughed again. Warm breath was blown in her ear before Alex heard him whisper softly, “I was wrong. I do want to bite you.” Before Alex could process the comment, he pull ed back and looked into her eyes. “Perhaps, more.”
One thing was for certain with this guy, he didn’t waste any time with pleasantries. Alex knew that she was losing the upper hand, if she ever had it. She needed to take control, now, before it was too late. Damn this arrogant stranger! Okay, Kensington, get a grip! Time for a pep talk. You know how to make men become putty in your hands. This one is not the exception. Yes, he is extraordinarily handsome. Breathtaking really. And maybe a little sexy. Ok, Alex admitted to herself, he is a lot sexy! Beyond belief, actually. And he is now looking at me questioningly. Why is he looking at me like that? Oh, God! Did I just tell him out loud that he is sexy? No. No, that’s not it. I think I am supposed to answer something. Oh, hell! He apparently has asked me a question! What was it? Something about biting? Or was it licking? Did he just ask me if I liked licking? Or was it being licked? Did it really matter?!
The stranger became lost in the moment just watching all of the emotions play through the hazel eyes. He cocked an eyebrow as he watched the red color slowly rise on the blonde’s cheeks. He had to admit that he was enjoying being the cause of such conflict.
Alex could feel the heat rising but could do nothing to stop it. She wanted to lower her eyes, but she couldn’t seem to break contact with the alluring brown ones. Alex felt herself gazing deeper and deeper into the dark depths until she felt something soft graze her lips. A kiss? Is he kissing me now? The nerve of this guy! As Alex was prepared to show complete indignation, something in his eyes stopped her. She didn’t see the smug or arrogant look that she had expected to see. Only a look of total surprise. Really? Why would he be so surprised since he was the one who…Oh no! Oh no, no, no!
It was me!! Alex realized with horror. I…kissed…him!!
CHAPTER TWO
“Where’s Alex? Has she ‘pulled’ already?” Aleana Gadd asked as she rejoined their table. Nicknamed, Gaddy, by the girls, she was the only non-American of the group of friends. But being British had its upside when she needed an edge over Alex. Accents, especially British, were quite sexy. Equally as beautiful as Alex, Gaddy had no trouble with “pulling” anyone she chose. With a flash of her seductive smile and a toss of her long, black hair, men seemed to fall at her feet.
“Gaddy, why do you and Alex keep playing these crazy games? What does it matter who meets a guy here first? Don’t you want to find someone for more than a fling?” Drew McKenzie asked. Tall and slender with dark brown hair, she was the innocent of the group. Spending her days as a high school teacher, her outlook on life bordered on the half-full as opposed to the half-empty. If anyone kept the group of women grounded, it was Drew.
“Oh, Drew, honey, you are still just too sweet,” Toni Mathers joked. Blonde and petite, Toni more than made up for her size in volume. She possessed an inquisitive personality that bordered on the outlandish. A successful career in journalism was the perfect outlet for her boisterous persona.
“And innocent,” Kate Johns piped in. She was the youngest of the group, but wise beyond her years. Her natural business acumen had resulted in her being the youngest CEO of a Fortune 500 company. Her business ventures had her crossing paths with the Kensington and Gadd families in her early twenties and the ensuing friendships with the daughters had proven to be timeless. All professional women now, the friends tried to get together at least once a week to catch up and unwind from the stress of their lives.
Toni grinned. “Not so innocent, Kate. The things she has told me…ouch! What was that for?” Toni asked, rubbing her arm.
“You know why,” Drew glared at Toni. “Didn’t I say, ‘do not tell’ before I share my…my after dark…dalliances?” she whispered to Toni as a hint of red stained her cheeks. The fact that she could still get that embarrassed at age thirty annoyed Drew endlessly. She shook off her embarrassment and looked back over to Gaddy. “I am still waiting for your answer.”
Gaddy ignored Drew’s question and focused instead on finding Alex. She squinted as she recognized Alex on the dance floor with a very good-looking guy. The music was still playing, but Alex and her partner weren’t moving. “What is she doing?” she asked, still staring at the couple.
“What is who doing?” Toni was craning her neck, trying to see whom Gaddy was talking about.
“Alex. She is on the dance floor. Not dancing.”
Toni smirked, “Maybe our Alex is scoring, Gaddy. Or have you forgotten what that looks like?”
“No, Toni, I think that I have a vague memory!”
Drew and Kate couldn’t suppress a laugh at Gaddy’s answer. At her return glare, both friends tried to discreetly hide their smiles.
“Who is that guy? He is hot!” Toni yelled.
“Toni,” Kate complained, “can you be a little louder? Really, Drew, how do you stand sitting beside her? I’m amazed you can hear at all anymore.”
“Just shut up, Kate, and look at Alex,” Toni retorted, still staring at Alex’s dance partner. Both Drew and Kate glanced in the direction that had Gaddy and Toni mesmerized.
“Wow!” Drew and Kate yelled simultaneously.
Toni looked smugly across the table at Kate. “See, sometimes I do have a valid reason.”
“What?” Kate momentarily took her eyes off the stunning man. “Yeah, yeah, whatever you say, Toni,” and returned her attention back to the dancers.
As all four sat mesmerized by the two seemingly standing still on the dance floor, they were oblivious to the woman that approached their table. As she looked from the pair, who apparently were unsure of the requirements of dancing, and the four trance-afflicted women at the table, she addressed the group, “I would offer to buy you popcorn while you watch your show, but I doubt that any of you can close your mouths long enough to properly chew. And, Gaddy, for goodness sakes, darling, wipe the drool from your mouth. The best education that money can buy, but the proper use of a napkin still eludes you.”
As Judith Gadd, Aleana’s mother, spoke, all eyes slowly focused on her. Gaddy was the first to break out of her trance, if only to defend herself. “Oh, Mum, I have not drooled enough for a napkin, yet. I do know my limits!”
“Of course you do, my darling. Now, what is wrong with Alex? Does her dance partner not know the moves? Or, whatever it is you kids call it. Looks like vertical making out to me most of the time. All of that grinding! I’d say you would need to at least buy me dinner first!”
“Mum, please,” Gaddy moaned. She was mortified by what left Judith’s mouth ninety-nine percent of the time.
Judith glanced back at the frozen couple on the dance floor. She only stopped by to leave Gaddy the key to her hotel suite. London was beckoning and she couldn’t wait to tie up loose ends in Manhattan and spend some time with old friends back home. She sighed and with a wave of her hand, addressed the table, “Scoot over, girls! I might as well get comfortable. This looks like it could take a while.”
CHAPTER THREE
Alex realized that she was standing motionless in the middle of some very avid dancers. Some even appeared to be trying to dance with her. What was wrong with them? Didn’t they realize that she was not moving? She knew that she should be doing something, but her legs had suddenly became lead-filled.
What kind of power did this man have on her? She chanced a glance at her companion and realized that he wasn’t moving, either. Why had he led her to the dance floor in the first place?
As Alex slowly moved her arms from her partner’s neck, she felt them grabbed and put back in place. She didn’t have a moment to question the action before she felt masculine lips touching hers. Tentatively at first. His lips softly grazed Alex’s and his tongue snaked out and lightly rimmed the blonde’s lips, asking for entrance. Alex not only acquiesced, but let her tongue seek his as well. What started as a soft, exploratory kiss, soon evolved into a sizzling and passionate meeting of tongues and lips.
