Keeping Blossom Read online

  Copyrighted © 2015 C.M. Steele

  All rights reserved. All characters appearing in this work are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

  This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Epilogue

  Coming Soon

  Prologue

  I need air. The house is not the same anymore and it’s suffocating me. Stepping out onto the front porch, I see a Dodge Viper pull into the driveway. I didn’t expect to see him, but it looks like he’s still in town. Adam Nolan, my ex-boyfriend, the slime ball, sleazy SOB gets out of his car like he’s posing for a photo shoot. I can’t believe I wasted time with a guy like him. I should’ve known better, but I let a cute face and a charming persona sway what little brains I have. Being a poor, average intelligence girl working in a fast food restaurant, Adam and I weren’t on the same level, so I ate up every compliment like it was a steak. When reality struck his words made me want to vomit.

  He shuffles up the stairs like there’s nothing wrong and he doesn’t have a care in the world. I’d like to big boot his ass down the steps, but it’s not ladylike, which he’s reminded me about over the span of our relationship. I can’t help I’ve got a temper that he seems to trigger.

  “Hey, Brooke. How are you feeling?” he asks after giving me a hug. I try not to roll my eyes at the stupid question. I lost my parents yesterday; how the fuck does he think I’m feeling?

  “I’m trying to hang in there,” I mutter, thinking horrible, homicidal thoughts about him. He’s the kind of guy who looks nice, pure boy, but he’s a big-ass player in disguise.

  “I’m sorry, my Brooke,” he whispers, touching my cheek with his smooth banking hands in a poor attempt to seduce me.

  I flinch and push his hand away, stepping to the side. “I’m not your Brooke anymore.”

  “Babe, don’t be like that. I told you I’m sorry so many times. She didn’t mean anything to me. I miss you. You know you can come back to Chicago with me. There're tons of places you can work. You can stay with me while you find a job.”

  “I can’t.” He pulls me into his arms, trying to persuade me, like what happened six months ago was a figment of my imagination. He thinks that time is going to make me forget that he cheated.

  “Adam, I can’t. I have arrangements to make for my parents. There’s no way I can drop everything to go with you. You made a fool of me and that’s something I cannot forget or forgive.”

  “Think about it, okay, Brooke,” he whispers in my ear before leaving me on my front porch. I want to deck him so bad, but it’s my fault. I shouldn’t have stayed with him as long as I did. It wasn’t fair to either of us. I didn’t open my legs for him so he found someone who would. I caught them in the back of his pickup after trying to surprise him. Damn, it burns that I was so naïve.

  Going back into the house, I take a look at our small home. God, I miss them already. There’s so much to do and no money to do it with. The joy of having hippies for parents— no real life planning, but I loved them with all their quirks. No matter their lifestyle they loved me and I never doubted it.

  Damn the tears are starting again.

  ~~~~

  It’s two days after the funeral, I’m almost flat broke and on my way to find out about my parents’ assets. The only thing they had of value was the house because they couldn’t save a dime if they tried. I listen as our family friend and lawyer, Mr. David Parker, speaks. He’s the typical straight-laced lawyer type, smart, handsome, and successful.

  “What do you mean they took out a loan against the house?” I ask David in massive disbelief.

  He twists his lips and I know he’s got nothing good to tell me. I lived with them but spent most of my time working, so I didn’t know what they were up to or how they ran out of money. “They needed money, so they dug into the equity. I’m sorry, but unless you can come up with the money for the mortgage in the next month, then they’re going to foreclose on the house.”

  “Okay, well, I filed the claim on the insurance policy. Hopefully, the money will be here in time,” I remark, feeling optimistic.

  “We can hope. They didn’t use the best plan out there. They went with the most affordable.” It sounds like something they would have done. They were penny pinchers, so I can’t understand why they needed to take out a loan.

  I take a deep breath and stand. Sticking out my hand I say, “Thanks for your help, David.”

  He takes my hand and pulls me into a tight hug. Damn, he smells good too. This guy must have all the women following him around. He’s too old for me, but he’s a nice guy and extremely out of my league. “No problem, Brooke. Just remember, if you need anything to give me a call.”

  ~~~~

  “What do you mean you’re holding the policy?” I yell over the phone.

  “It was due the day they died and remains unpaid,” the arrogant voice on the other end informs me. David was right; this company sucks. This is the eighth customer service rep that I’ve spoken to this week and this is the first time I have an answer.

  “Really? They died that day. It doesn’t make it late,” I bark. I’m ready to stick my hands through the phone and choke them.

  “It’s in the system as a late payment. It’s going to take some time to sort out, miss. I’m sorry.” I’m so livid that tears are building in my eyes. How can people be so cruel and stupid?

  I hang up the phone and rush to my room. This has got to be the worst time of my life. I’ve lost my parents, my job, and my home. I think it’s time for me to call David. I hate to do it, but I need some help.

  You’ve reached David Parker. Please leave a detailed message at the beep and I call you back.

  I call his office because I really need to talk to him and his assistant Molly answers. “I’m sorry, Brooke, but David is out of town on a business meeting. Just call his cell and leave a message. I’m sure he’ll call you back.”

  “Thanks, Molly.” I call him again and leave him a message. There’s nothing I can do but wait until I have answers.

  ~~~~

  It’s been four days and no return call or text from David. To be on the safe side, I use the last of my funds to pay one month’s mortgage and move everything into storage.

  I’m at my wits end. Getting let go from my job because I needed time off to deal my parents’ death was a kick in the teeth. Then there’s no one hiring. I can’t believe this is happening. It’s one issue after another, and to top it all off, Adam comes walking up onto my porch. “What brings you here?”

  “I came to check on you. I’m heading back to Chicago today. You can still come with.” His offer has slime written all over it. What I saw in him is a mystery to me.

  Truthfully, it’s a lending hand I’ve been looking for. But I can’t trust Adam, so no matter how tempting it is I can’t take it. “No thanks. I need to find a job.”

  “Just call me and I can get you one in Chicago.” He leaves and I think this’ll be the last time I see him, but I’m dead wrong.

  Chapter 1

  My flight lands in Chicago an hour late. I want to freaking flip out, but it’s not going to bring back the hour I lost taxying at LaGuardia because
of a storm. Damn, bad weather. I land at Midway and the skies are clear and sunny. The airport is packed with travelers since summer is around the corner.

  Grabbing my duffle, I call my driver to make sure he’s still there.

  “Yes, I’m waiting in the usual spot.”

  “Great thanks. I’m on my way. The meeting with the other attorney was a total was of time. Everything they wanted to discuss could’ve been done by phone or email. Assholes.”

  “You should have told them to come here.”

  “Then I would’ve had to entertain them. With me going there, I was in and out in a day.”

  “Okay, boss. I’m here waiting.”

  I rush to meet him because I can’t stand the crowds here, but before I get there, I’m stunned. I crash into a beautiful, curvy woman. We both fall to the floor with my body pressing into hers. My dick is instantly awake and digging into her thighs. Our eyes meet and the noise all around us disappears. I look down at my unintentional captive, and her eyes are trained on mine. They’re a greyish-green and round, and I take in all I can from my perch above her. She’s got lips that tempt you to attack them like a madman, and her skin is smooth and flawless even though she doesn’t have any makeup on. My dick is getting harder by the second as her eyes take me in, and she likes what she sees. I can feel her pelvis involuntarily lift a little, pressing into my thick ridge. I groan from the sensation. Inches from her lips, I’m so tempted to close the distance. She parts them like an open invitation, but then her phone beeps, ending our moment.

  Waking up from my fantastical daydream, I jump up off her and immediately feel the loss. Stretching out my hand, I assist her up and it feels like it’s been singed from the simple touch. Her hand is smooth and bare so I can assume she’s not married. I keep my eyes focused on her, not releasing my her from my grip, and the sexual interest is still there. She slowly licks her lips, and I want to taste them, too. I’m not saying anything, but I’m invading her personal space inch by inch.

  It takes her speaking first for me to fully wake up out of this trance. “I’m so sorry. I wasn’t looking where I was going.” Her voice is soft and light and the embarrassment in her eyes only adds to her appeal. I was the one not watching where I was going. I feel like a dick for knocking her down and crushing her with my body. Shit, I could have hurt her.

  “No, sweetheart, it’s all my fault. I’m sorry. Are you okay?” Without asking, I slide my hand to the back of her head, feeling for injuries. It’s not something I would’ve done for anyone else, but I want to make sure she’s alright. I quickly take in her whole body from head to toe and although she looks vulnerable, she’s hot. It was a huge mistake to look down at the sexy creature that cushioned my fall. Her tits are huge, and her hips are wide with a little waist. Staring at her middle has got me thinking fucked up things like how she would look with it thickened from my kid.

  I shake that dumb, irrational, and unique thought out of my head before I start asking a complete stranger to fucking marry me. “So are you okay? Did I hurt you?”

  She lets out a little giggle in that sweet melodic tone, which only hardens me further, then she says, “I’m fine— really.” Could she be any more fucking adorable?

  “Thank goodness for that.” And I meant that shit too. Hurting her something so cute just seems wrong, even by accident.

  “I’m sorry, I was busy sending a message and wasn’t paying attention.”

  “So we’re both to blame. Since we’ve got that squared away, how about you let me take you where you need to go?”

  She blushes but shakes her head. “Sorry, but I’m waiting for someone.”

  “A boyfriend?” I’m hoping she’s talking about her family or a female friend.

  “An ex-boyfriend,” she admits guiltily like she owes me her loyalty. Her phone beeps, stopping me from asking her to leave with me.

  She looks down, snarls at the phone, then looks back up at me with a frown.

  “What’s wrong?” It’s not my right or business, but I want it to be.

  ~~~~~

  What’s wrong? I want to tell him everything except him. My life is in tatters and I don’t see a light at the end of a long, dark, shitty tunnel. The damn near concussion he gave me is the only highlight in the past month.

  I look back down at the text, and then back to the handsome man in front of me. “He can’t come get me. He’s stuck in a meeting. I’m supposed to take the train to Clark and Lake and he’ll meet me there. Now I have to go find the train.”

  He looks like he’s annoyed with my response. I’m not sure why he’s upset; I don’t even know him. Maybe in another life he and I would work but from the looks of him, I’m way out of my league.

  Gosh, when he crashed into me, I didn’t even feel my head hit the floor, but I felt breathless. He’s stunning. What kind of man is that good looking? No one. Not even David or Adam can compare with this guy. My heart’s racing, and I nervously chew on my lip, thinking about how he felt on top of me. Damn, was that an amazing feeling or what? His strength and power surrounded me like a shield from my pain. Looking into his eyes was a no-no. The man has the most beautiful eyes I’ve ever seen. They’re mostly brown with a tinge of green, but it’s a deep green. They locked with mine and demanded control. Never has there been someone I wanted like I want him. It’s stupid because this is a meaningless exchange for him; a simple accident with a hint of civility.

  “Sweetie, I can give you a ride.” The way he says it, it holds so many meanings and is deliciously tempting to my curiosity.

  I shake my head at him because I have to talk myself out of accepting the offer. “No…I can’t. I don’t know you.”

  “Well, let me fix that. I’m Devin Williams, a lawyer, thirty and single,” he says, arching his brow, waiting for me to introduce myself.

  “I’m Blossom, nineteen, and single.” He gives me a shrewd look then smiles. It’s the name.

  “That’s a pretty yet uncommon name. Are you named after that old TV show?” he asks. I don’t know what he’s talking about, but I know why my parents picked that name. I never tell people my real name. Why did I tell him?

  “No,” I answer. I’m not ready to delve into my family life with him. He probably comes from the best of the best. Everyone in his family is probably perfect too.

  “I have a feeling, Blossom, that getting answers out of you is going to be like pulling teeth.” He doesn’t realize he’s wasting time with me. I’m not on his level at all. He’s in an expensive suit and I’m bumming it. I’m ashamed that I’m practically on the opposite side of the success ladder. Maybe if my struggles weren’t stressing me out I might buy into his charm.

  “Well, since I’ve got to go catch the train, you’re done being a dentist for today.” I can’t believe I just said that. He’s going to think I’m such a bitch.

  He shakes his head, ignoring my brush off. “How about you come with me and I can add DDS to my name?”

  I want to go with him and let him do whatever dirty thoughts he’s got running through his head, but I can’t. “I’m not going with you. I don’t know you. That’s not a smart thing. I may be young and naïve, but I’m not that naïve.”

  I can tell he’s getting irritated. It makes me a little uncomfortable, but I’m still not scared of him. Strange. “So you’re going to go on a train full of strangers. That doesn’t sound too smart either.”

  “Safety in numbers. After all it’s the authority on transit,” I challenge with my own arched brow, pointing to the sign that says Chicago Transit Authority.

  “Fine, then. I guess I can take the train,” he grumbles then chuckles at my lane attempt at a joke.

  “That’s silly when you have your own car,” I remark. I can’t believe he’d rather take the train with me than ride in privacy and space.

  “I want to get to know you. If it takes riding the damn crowded train, then so be it. But first, let me tell my driver he can leave.” He doesn’t walk away, instead he just g
rabs his phone and sends a message. “Okay, babe. That’s done. Come on. Let’s get on this train before you try and run away.” He says it like he’s really upset about me leaving him. He can’t be for real. Someone that good looking, successful, and charming has to have something wrong with him. “I’m not afraid of you.”

  “Then why won’t you take a ride from me?” he asks.

  I laugh because he actually sounds hurt. “Just because I’m not afraid doesn’t mean you aren’t a danger to me.”

  “You’re a smart girl,” he relents.

  “Hardly, but I’ve learned you’re not supposed to talk to strangers.”

  “Too late for that.” I guess he’s right about that, but I want to get to know him— safely.

  “Well, we’re not quite strangers anymore. So let’s catch the train and you can tell me something about you.”

  Devin gives me a big-ass grin then he takes my luggage from me and tugs it along. “It’s a cute suitcase.”

  “Thanks. My mom got it for me because of my name.” I shrug and blush. He’s staring at me in a wickedly hot way, and he’s got me confused and so damn turned on.

  “It’s a cute name. It suits you.” My body’s buzzing from his voice alone. The man has such a sexy timber to go along with his delicious looking face and body. I follow him like a little, lost puppy.

  Chapter 2

  I drag her luggage along so she can’t walk away from me. She’s got me all fucked up from the first feel of her against me. Taking the train isn’t something I’m comfortable with. Ever since I was jumped and mugged as a teenager, I’ve refused to step onto one. It’s got me wanting to crawl out of my skin, yet, I want to know her and keep her safe. The thought of something happening to her shakes me to the core and my fear for my own safety disappears. It’s insane, but I can’t let her get away from me, and since she won’t come with me, I’ve got to follow her. The anxiety it’s causing isn’t making it any easier to talk to her. I almost snapped on her because of it. She would’ve run from me if I did, and Blossom’s on the verge of running as it is.