Luke and Sasha were safely in their hotel room, basking in the bliss of matrimony. The music was playing softly in the background as they reveled in their solitude.
Sasha had kicked off her shoes and was sitting on her husband’s lap on the sofa in the penthouse suite of the hotel in Paris. The lights of the city could be seen from their window, but neither bothered to look.
Sasha’s eyes were on him, and Luke’s eyes were on the dress.
“I can’t believe we did it. We pulled it off.” Sasha smiled at her husband.
“I had no doubt,” Luke smiled as he pulled away the comb that held her hair up, then placed it on the table. “Did you have fun?”
She smiled. “I did.” She hesitated. “Once I gave Stephanie that beat down, I really started to have fun.”
“You bottled that up for a long time. I’m sorry I didn’t just come to you with what Stephanie was trying to do.”
Sasha touched his face. “You were trying to protect my heart. That’s what a husband is supposed to do. But now I’m strong enough to protect my heart and yours.”
“You think so?” Luke raised an eyebrow.
“Without hesitation.”
He stared into her eyes for a long time, then exhaled, sat her up and stood. He walked over to his jacket that he had stripped out of when they entered the suite. He reached inside. “No more secrets from each other.” He pulled out an envelope. “Joshua gave me this. He said it was under the door of the suite when they went to gather our bags.”
Sasha walked over to him. She smiled at him with a curious look. “What is this?”
“I don’t know. It had your name on it.” Luke replied as he began to study the pearls on the dress.
Sasha opened the envelope and read.
“I believe you have found your happiness. Now I can go live my life.
Stephanie.”
Sasha exhaled. “Hmm … I’m not sure how I feel about the message. But there is one thing I know for certain. For once in her life, my mother is right.” She turned to look at Luke, who was still fumbling with the dress.
“What is that?” he asked without looking up.
“I have found my happiness.” Sasha replied as she turned to him.
Luke put his arms across his chest as he continued to stare at the dress. “I’m an engineer and I can’t figure out how to get you out of this dress,” Luke sounded perplexed.
“You sound puzzled.” Sasha smiled. She placed the note on the table, then turned back to face him. “It’s as simple as one,” she touched a button on her back, “Two,” She simultaneously touched two buttons on her shoulder, “Three.” She declared as the dress fell to the floor pooling around her ankles.
Luke smiled as he scanned her from head to toe. The woman was perfection in his eyes. “I knew you didn’t have anything on under that dress.” He groaned. “I got a hard-on the minute I saw you in it.”
“We are naturalists, my darling.” She walked over to him and began removing his shirt. “Did you expect anything different?”
Luke smiled as her hands moved over his shoulders. He unzipped his pants, allowing all his clothes to drop to the floor. “Not for a minute.” He turned and gathered her into his arms. “I love the way you stay true to who and what you are.”
Sasha laughed as his hands palmed her behind and his lips kissed her throat. “And what is that?”
“My temptress for life,” Luke growled as he gathered her into his arms, pulling her close, and began to dance. Skin to skin, their bodies began talking to each other. Her nipples hardened against his chest. His manhood rubbed against the juncture between her legs as if demanding to enter. He began to hum in her ears as the music played on.
The sensuality of his breath on her earlobe sent sensations through her body that she hadn’t experienced before. There was something different between them. The touch, the feel of their bodies ignited the flames they always experienced, but now … now it was something more. His voice sent thoughts of a Christmas tree next to a fireplace with excited children opening presents. A scene like that would have made her laugh before; now, she held onto him tighter. Embracing the feel of him brought her joy.
As he inhaled, the scent from her hair sent lightning bolts of sunshine, white picket fences and children playing in the yard to mind. It felt as if he had crossed the goal line. His nerves were cheering like the fans in the stadium. The longing for something real was gone. He was complete. The thought of her, of them, as one brought him completion.
Luke looked into her eyes, cupping her face between his hands, then gently kissed her. “I love you Sasha, from the tip of your toes to the top of your head. Every breath you take is the air I want to absorb into my body. My limb on the family tree is now connected to you.” He took her hand down to his penis and wrapped her fingers around it. ‘This and …” he placed his finger between her thighs, “this are going to create the lifelines of our children.”
When he said the word children, the juice from her body began to flow. He moved his finger inside of her, coating it. He then brought his finger to his lips. Just a breath away from her lips, he stared deeply into her eyes, then placed his finger into his mouth and sucked her juices.
She watched as he licked every drop from his finger then smiled. “You taste like honeysuckle.”
Sasha smiled as her heart filled with a sense of oneness with him. “Do you want some more?”
Luke captured her lips with an eagerness he could not explain. He picked her up and carried her to the bedroom, then laid her spread out on the king-sized bed. Without a moment’s hesitation, he thrust inside of her. They stilled, holding each others gazes as their minds let go and their hearts took over. He gently laid on top of her, and her legs wrapped around his waist. He began to move smoothly inside of her, reveling in the blissfulness of her warmth around him. Knowing that without speaking a word, they were in accord. It was time to share their love with a family.
“Let’s get this first one out of the way,” he moaned into her ear.
His movements began to increase, as her hips reached up to him. Every thrust into her seemed to trigger more sensations, causing her nerve endings to shatter into little pieces. As he withdrew, ready to thrust back inside, she pushed her hips up, matching his intensity. Again and again, the heat of desire raged through them as their minds, their bodies and their very souls became one. The climax exploded, tossing both of them into oblivion, neither knowing how they were going to land, until they both felt the softness of a cloud surrounding them in a sense of serenity, then easing them back onto the bed, wrapped in each other’s arms. Warm, safe and ready for the new adventure called marriage.
An hour later, they were still wrapped in each other’s arms, Luke lodged deep inside of her. “We really have to do something special for Cynthia,” he exhaled.
Sasha nodded. “She did a hell of a job in a short period of time. I have no idea what we can do to really demonstrate just how much I appreciate her dedication to making our dream wedding come true.”
“It couldn’t be easy planning for four of us at the same time.”
“Phire and LT are next.”
"She will run into some of the same issues as far as security is concerned,” Luke nodded.
“Well,” Sasha chuckled. “Your parents are the ones who deserve something special. They brought all of you into this world.”
“They did seem to enjoy the cruise,” Luke said. “Maybe we can all do something for them after Jade and Blake’s wedding.”
“That’s not until December. Why wait that long?”
Luke chuckled. “You have to understand Joe and Sally. Their adult life has been about their children. There is no way either would consider doing anything for themselves until every one of their children is on the journey to their happily-ever-after.”
“That kind of love, what Joe and Sally have, I see that with Al and Ryan. JD and Tracy, Monique and Grayson.”
“You and me,” Luke stated as his hands caressed her shoulders.
“We have to find someone for Kaylan. What about your friend Randall? I heard him ask you about her.”
“No,” Luke shook his head. “I like Randall, but I wouldn’t put him on any woman.” He chuckled.
Sasha smiled. “There has to be someone out there for her. She is such a sweet person.”
“I’m sure there is, but as much as we want happiness for our friends, love has to find them. Like it did with Kevon and Trish. Who would have thought that was a match?”
“I didn’t see much of them on the cruise,” Sasha said.
“My point exactly. I’m surprised they came up for air long enough to attend the wedding.” He smiled.
“I know this is going to sound crazy, but you know one of the things that I enjoyed the most about our wedding?”
“Making love to me,” Luke replied.
“Well.” Sasha adjusted her leg over his. “That’s always at the top of my list. But, that’s not what I’m talking about. The families, who brought all of their children. On family day, it was amazing to see children of all ages in the room. There were over fifty children at that event. Do you know how much loving it takes to produce that many kids?”
Luke laughed. “There are a lot of them. Think about it: we had JD and Tracy with all their children, his sister Ashley and her husband James with their children. Nick and his wife Ericka with their twins. Ty Pendleton and his wife Kiki with their son. Eric Davies and his wife Siri and their two children.”
“All of them before we even add the Lassiters,” Sasha laughed.
“Samuel and Cynthia have three, Ruby and Devin have two, Joshua and Roc have three, Zack and Diamond have three, Pearl and Theo have two, and Adam and Amber have one on the way.”
“Oh, and don’t forget your cousins in Connecticut.”
Luke chuckled. “Let me see if I can get all of them straight. Uncle Jake and Alma have five. Uncle Franklin and Violet have five. Uncle Fitzgerald is married to Tamara, they have two, the twins, and then there is Uncle Jessie, who had twins, but one died, leaving only one, Jessie James.”
“Whew,” Sasha laughed. “Like I said, that’s a lot of love. Do you think we have that much love to share?”
Luke answered her question with one of his own. “How many?” He asked while pulling her closer.
Sasha exhaled as she eased over his body to straddle him. “More than one.”
“For sure,” Luke smiled.
She used her finger to trace her name on his chest. “At least two.”
“I say four. We have enough love for more, but we can start there.”
“Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would be discussing having children.”
“That’s how love goes,” Luke smiled up at her.
That was when it hit her: they were no longer at the stage of Luke-A-Thons. They were now in the phase of love-a-thons with a purpose. Sasha smiled down at her husband, then kissed her name that was etched on his heart. She knew this marriage that was sealed on the Mediterranean Sea was one international affair that would last a lifetime.
I hope you enjoyed Luke and Sasha’s story.
Please enjoy this sneak peek into the next
Lassiter Wedding novel
A Risky Affair.
His hands were tied behind his back. The cord was now being wrapped around his ankles. The cord connecting the two was yanked tight, ensuring his movement was limited. A silk scarf was stuffed inside his mouth preventing him from calling out. After checking the bound rope his captor left the room.
In his estimation he had about five minutes to break free before his captor returned. He needed to cut the cord to free his hands. Scanning around the room, there was nothing sharp enough to cut into the cord. His eyes traveled to the candles in front of the fireplace. One of the wicks still had a flame. Could he crawl over on his stomach? He shook his head. He would have to roll over to the candle and pray he did not burn himself or set the room on fire. He tried to move. The way his feet and hands were bound prevented him from rolling to his back. However, the movement did get him closer. He then began to rock his way towards the flame. After a few rolls he took a deep breath, then leaned to the side far enough to get the cord over the flame.
“Damn,” he said under his breath.
He could feel the heat on his toes. Was he too close to the flame? He wiggled his body down a bit, then leaned over again. The heat lessened from his toes, but had he moved too much? Was the flame reaching the cord? He sniffed the air, leaned a little further over, then waited a few seconds. If the scent of rope burning did not fill the air soon he would adjust his position. He leaned a little more. There it was. The scent of the rope burning reached his nose. The position was uncomfortable as hell, but if he wanted to break free he would have to endure the discomfort a little longer. He pulled his feet up as far as he could, stretching the rope. The more he could pull on the rope the thinner it would become, which could result in the flame burning through faster. Less than a minute later he heard the rope snap. His feet fell to the floor. He kicked, pulling the rope apart, freeing his feet, allowing him to roll over and sit up. However, his hands were still bound behind his back. He took a few seconds to think. To free his hands, he could blindly hold his hands over the same flame that freed his feet or he could position himself against the footboard of the bed, bring his hands under his behind, fall backwards on the bed, then bring his legs through. Decision made, he slid back to lean against the foot board of the bed, pulled his hands down under his behind. Pushing his body up, he fell backwards on the bed then pulled his legs up to his chest. His hands were now under his knees. Pulling one leg at a time through the opening, his hands were now in front of him. He then used his teeth to untie the rope. Shaking his hands to get the blood flowing, he checked the light shining on the ceiling, then grabbed his tablet from the nightstand.
“So, you escaped.”
Mayor Lawrence Trent Palmer, who everyone called LT, looked up to see his fiancée Sapphire Lassiter standing in the doorway. He smiled remembering the day they met at OT Accounting. It was her brother Timothy and sister Opal’s accounting service. He was looking for a new accounting firm to handle the books for his company. LT had done his research before arriving and knew he would be going with them. What he did not know was how that day would change his life in so many ways. Sapphire had arrived that day to help her siblings out knowing the snow storm that was rolling in would keep employees from making it to the office. She was sassy, young and beautiful. The attraction was immediate and volatile from the start. He knew the best move was to walk away and he did, however, the thought of her stayed with him. His next encounter was when he pulled the lioness from the top of a pile of fighting women. He had attended a press conference for Grant Hutchinson, the man who was now his chief of staff, but had once vied for the Mayor’s position. It seemed in that particular meeting, Sapphire was battling for her sister Opal’s honor, by attacking the woman who had her sights on Grant. He found himself chastising the group of sisters and meeting the President of the United States all in one night. The third time LT was in her presence was at her brother’s wedding. That was the moment he got to hold her in his arms. It was also the night his heart had been stolen by Sapphire Lassiter. He’d made an effort to fight the feelings he was experiencing, however, the heart only grew fonder. It was also the night his career changed…somewhat. It was the night he was drawn into the world of politics. Hey, when the President of the United States, his Chief of Staff and other members of his administration interrogate you on your political views, you get your thoughts on record. Doing that led him to paying closer attention to politics. He began supporting Grant Hutchinson for his bid to become the next Mayor of Richmond, Virginia. When Grant, for personal reasons, could not continue the campaign, he asked LT to run. To his surprise, LT discovered that Sapphire was a lot more than a college student with a crush on his heart. She was a young woman with an IQ that would put her youngest brother Adam to shame. And that was saying something. To add fuel to the fire, she had charisma, a huge personality and a following that was in a large part responsible for his Mayoral win. She may have been young in age, but her wisdom had pulled his dark past into the light, freeing him from his demons. LT remembered falling into her web of love and gentle shove to move forward with his life. He knew she was the woman for him so he waited until he believed she was ready for the future he envisioned for them, then he made her his. More than anything else she was now the protector of his heart.
Sapphire was dressed in red lace boy shorts with a matching tank top. He smiled as she stepped into the room carrying a tray of body oils.
“I did,” he replied as he continued to make notes on his tablet. “It took me three minutes.”
“Hmm, a minute too long,” Phire replied while walking to the French doors that led to the glass enclosed special room he’d designed just for her. It was the room where they’d first made love. She placed the tray on the table then turned back to him. “How did you get out of the restraints?”
“The candles.” He put the tablet on the nightstand then joined her in the sunroom that overlooked the James River and downtown Richmond.
She nodded as he sat across from her. “That means your game design will have to include candles or a fire of some kind. Which brings us back to my initial suggestion. The opponent should be a woman.”
LT titled his head as he contemplated her idea. It was good to have someone to run his ideas for his prototypes by before sending them for testing.
In addition to being Mayor, LT designed and developed electronic games, which he’d begun doing while he was in college. His first two games personally designed by LT, had more than a billion players worldwide. Palmer Innovations, the company LT formed, only had six games under its belt; however, five out of the six had garnered worldwide acclaim and constantly ranked in the top ten software games for the sixteen through twenty-nine demographic. The reason, LT believed, was their attention to details in every product they developed. Each game was tested by thousands before being placed on the market. The results determined if the game ever left the production room. The new game in development was the reason for the request for Phire to tie him up to see how he could escape. The prototype, which he had yet to name, was in the early stages of development.
“If I make the main player a female, she will have to be fierce,” he spoke more, thinking through the process than responding to her. “She will have to be someone who can even awe the men around her.”
“There are women with that ability you know.” Phire poured oil into her hands and began rubbing them together as if putting emphasis on her statement. She watched as the smile on his face indicated he’d received her meaning. “I know a few.”
“Including yourself.” LT raised an eyebrow.
At the end of the last election, the President of the United States had decided the country needed an organization that would be responsible for oversight of the government. It wouldn’t be staffed with government employees whom the President could fire at will. The staff had to be trustworthy, patriotic, officials whose sole purpose would be to protect democracy against domestic enemies at any cost. The organization would have the means to prevent actions against the country such as the attack on the Capitol, from happening again. It would be privately funded, eliminating the need for government oversight, excluding any political influence. The actions on the day of the attack put the fear of God in those who value the country’s democracy. The country came close to having the will of the people subverted by those attempting to extort the democratic process. He slated Sapphire Josephine Lassiter, whom everyone, except LT, called Phire, to the position.
Phire watched the play of emotions on LT’s face as she remembered the statement that solidified her future.
Further conversation is time wasted. The people of America need to be prepared to take action now. The powers non-government that be waited thirty years with this situation, and we damn near lost the right for our vote to count. People marched, got beaten, and died for our right to vote. After all of that, a few people strategically placed in the right positions almost stripped it away from us. Waiting gave them time to put down roots then change our governmental agencies and our fundamental way of thinking. They took the time to put their people in place, and we didn’t pay attention because we were busy waiting. What in the hell are we waiting for?
The President took that statement as a reason to believe her young mind did not comprehend waiting or patience. And that was exactly what was needed for the country. From that point on her fate with the country was set. She was tasked with creating an organization and team to assist outside entities with protecting democracy by any means necessary. Currently her team consisted of five members and two technical support personnel. She had to go through physical and mental training for the position. One of her instructors was a fierce woman who could and had awed men in the covert field.
“I am not where my trainer is in skill, however, I’m getting there.” Phire reached for his hand, then began applying the oil on his forearm.
“Hmm…” was LT’s reply to her statement.
Phire studied his facial features. She knew he had concerns about her new position. It had taken more time convincing him of her reasons for accepting the offer from the President than it had to convince her parents. But then, they were used to their children dedicating their lives to protecting the country. She’d understood it was all new to LT. Finding love in a younger woman was not easy for him. His mother had opened her heart and was rewarded with death at the hands of the man she loved. Lawrence Trent, LT’s father, was a psychopath. A man who used people at will then discarded them in whatever manner he chose. It seemed women were his target. He used them with no regards to the impact on their lives. In Dorothy Palmer’s case, his actions resulted in a child, LT, and then the loss of her life. When she met LT, Phire had to unpeel several levels of hate and hurt to finally get to the bottom of what he was concealing. She had to do that because from the moment she argued with the man in the lobby of OT Accounting, Phire knew she had met her future. LT, who refused to answer to the name Lawrence, was tall, dark, handsome and had no problem speaking his truth. He reminded her so much of her brothers with the gentle giant personality of her father. They were all larger than life to her. When he came face to face with her family, LT did not cower down. He stood his ground with them and the other man she admired, President JD Harrison. Any man who could hold his own with them and her, had not only earned her admiration, he had earned her love. It took them a round or two of battles to break through their barriers, but they did and on this past Thanksgiving he professed his undying love and asked her to be his wife. In front of all her family, she proudly accepted through tears of joy.
“Is that concern I hear in your voice?” she asked while switching to his other hand. “When you asked me to marry you, I was under the impression you accepted all of me including my career choice.”
“I do.” He smiled. “It does not mean I will not worry about the woman I love. You could be the baddest woman in the world and every time you are out of my sight I would still worry. That is what a man with a woman who is his world would feel.”
Phire returned his smile. “I have faith in your ability to take care of yourself when you are not in my sight. I have the ability to do the same. Your heart will always be my number one concern. I will protect it at all costs.”
His lips curved into that smile she loved. “That means you will do everything within your power to protect you, for Sapphire… you are my lifeline.”
There was something in the way he said her name that awakened every nerve in her body. Phire gathered both of his hands together and continued to massage them. “You know how to get my juices flowing…don’t you?”
He pulled his hands away, reached under the table then grabbed her foot. He pulled her chair and body closer to him. “I need to verify the flowing of the juices for myself.”
Phire giggled as his arm circled her waist, pulling her onto his lap. His finger eased under her boy shorts just as her legs straddled his. Placing an arm around his neck while the other reached down to free his hardness from his pajama bottoms their lips met. The kiss fueled the sensations building between them. His tongue tangled with hers, then slid down her chin to her neck, on to the crest of her breast. He did not stop until he had moved the strap to her top down and gathered one of her brown nipples between his lips.
Phire moaned. “Unauthorized action, Mr. Mayor.” Her hand began to stroke him.
He sucked while she stroked, bringing their blood to a point of desire that touching could no longer satisfy. LT wrapped his hands around her waist then lifted her until he was at her entrance. He eased her body down on his hardness. Nothing…nothing in this world sent his body into convulsions the way it did when he was inside of her. Nothing!
“Phire,” he growled.
“Authorization granted,” she groaned.
She knew calling her by that name meant he was in the throes of passion. She eased further down on him, loving the way he filled her, the way her inner lips circled him inside of her. His lips moved to the other nipple, his hands squeezed her behind and she began to move her body with the rhythm of his tongue. His hands tightened on her waist as her body moved faster. His hands tightened more, her body moved faster and faster and faster until she lost track of who was in control and allowed the explosion to free both of them.
Phire’s head fell onto his shoulder as he kissed her neck, her face, then her lips.
“There is nothing like morning love with you,” LT groaned into her ear as his mind echoed this was his future.
Phire reveled in the warmth and security of his arms around her. This was her future.
Click here to pre-order A Risky Affair