One Night Forever Read online

  Table of Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Epilogue

  www.beautifultroublepublishing.com

  One Night Forever

  Marteeka Karland

  Copyright © 2011 by Marteeka Karland

  All Rights Reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or shared in any form, including but not limited to: printing, photocopying, faxing, recording, electronic transmission, or by any information storage or retrieval system without prior written permission from the authors or holders of the copyright.

  This book is a work of fiction. References may be made to locations and historical events; however, names, characters, places and incidents are the products of the author’s imagination and/or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons (living or dead), businesses, events or locales is either used fictitiously or coincidental. All trademarks, service marks, registered trademarks, and registered service marks are the property of their respective owners and are used herein for identification purposes only.

  Published by

  Beautiful Trouble Publishing, LLC

  PO Box 61

  Colfax, NC 27235

  www.beautifultroublepublishing.com

  Cover Art: Les Byerley http://www.les3photo8.com/

  Editor: Cindy Davis, http://www.fiction-doctor.com/

  Proofreader: Novellette Whyte

  http://authorgurunovellette.blogspot.com/

  Formatter: Jim & Zetta, http://www.jimandzetta.com/

  E-book Conversion: Jim & Zetta, http://www.jimandzetta.com/

  ISBN: (ebook) 978-1-61788-158-9; (print) 978-1-61788-159-6

  To Motherhood. Because, though it can be a bitch at times, from beginning to end, it's more rewarding than anything in the universe. I love you, baby!

  Note about eBooks

  eBooks are NOT transferable. Re-selling, sharing or giving away eBooks is a copyright infringement. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without written permission of the author or Beautiful Trouble Publishing.

  CAVEAT

  This work of erotica contains adult language and sexually explicit scenes, which are smoking hot. This book is intended only for adults, as it is defined by the laws of the country in which the purchase is made. Keep this book out of the hands of under-aged readers.

  Chapter One

  What a fucking day. Ariel blew her nose as she walked briskly down the sidewalk. It was after midnight. If she had any sense, she’d have called a cab, but her cell was still at the bastard’s house, and she was too stubborn to go back for it. She’d passed her last final earlier that day, gone to work that evening, and gone home early to the sounds of eternal bliss in her bedroom. Ariel had come to tell Tom the good news—that she was pregnant, only to find him in bed with Reanne, her best friend. Needless to say, the confrontation had been bitter. In the end, though, Ariel simply walked out. She had a good job, a good education. No problem, she could take care of herself and anyone else who came along.

  The sound of a car driving up behind her made her quicken her pace. It took him long enough—probably because he’d been buck naked—but Tom had come after her.

  “It’s not what it looked like, baby,” he called from the car as he pulled up beside her, passenger window down.

  “Well, it looked like you were fucking my best friend into the middle of next week in the bed you and I sleep together in every night. If it wasn’t that, what was it?” Ariel kept walking, not looking at him. She’d be damned if she’d shed a tear over the lying, cheating bastard. And if she looked at him she’d cry.

  “It’s not like I love her or anything,” he whined.

  There was nothing worse than a whiny man, as far as Ariel was concerned.

  “I love you, baby.”

  She could practically see his pouty lower lip. Funny how she used to love that lip. Now, she just wanted to punch it. “That’s too bad, Tom. Really. I’d have hoped you’d do something like that for love, not for a cheap thrill.”

  “Come on, Ariel. You’re being unreasonable. It was a onetime thing. Just get in the car and let me take you home.” That was about all Ariel could stand. Gritting her teeth, she whirled to face him, crossing her hands over her breasts. She was more angry than she could ever remember being, but she still felt vulnerable beyond words.

  “If you think for one moment I’m getting in that car with you, now or ever again, you’re more stupid than I thought. Leave me alone, Tom. I don’t want to see you again.”

  He revved the engine of the GTO hard, making as much noise as he could. It was how he’d bullied her in the past. Knowing she detested scenes, Tom would do something that would call attention to her. This time, however, it wouldn’t work. If he woke half the neighborhood, so be it. It wasn’t her fault. She was just walking down the sidewalk. Immediately, dogs barked all over the place. He continued to rev the motor, all the while looking at her as if to dare her to defy him.

  Ariel merely rolled her eyes and started walking again. Inside, her heart pounded and she glanced around nervously, but she absolutely would not give in. She was going to her sister’s until she could get her own apartment. Nothing would stop her.

  Tom continued to keep pace with her, making all kinds of racket with the souped-up car. It sounded like a truck pull at the county fair. Fumes from the exhaust made the back of her throat itch with the urge to cough. She was about to just bolt for her sister’s three blocks down the road when a light came on in the house a half a block away. A huge, shadowy figure stepped onto the porch, paused, then skipped down the steps and headed their way. Ariel didn’t recognize the man, but the figure was decidedly male and hella big.

  He strode toward them, confidence in his gait. As he neared, Ariel noticed sleek, black hair streaked lightly with silver and pulled back from his chiseled face. He wore jeans and nothing else. Bare chested, and bare footed, his feet making little noise on the sidewalk. Though his fly was zipped, the top button was undone. She swallowed hard. The street lamps gave glimpses of a determined line to his mouth and slashing, silver eyes. This wasn’t really the kind of man she wanted to run into at midnight on a deserted street. Even Tom was looking good about now.

  “What seems to be the problem?” His voice was a deep, raspy rumble. He looked straight at Tom when he spoke, inserting his body between her and Tom’s car.

  “It’s none of your business,” Tom snapped. “Me and my girlfriend are having a discussion, so butt out!”

  The stranger didn’t even glance at Ariel. “It becomes my business when you disturb my sleep. If the lady had wanted to talk to you, she’d be in your car, so I recommend you move along before you have problems.”

  “What? You gonna call the cops?” Tom sneered his question and Ariel’s heart sank. He was friends with most of the guys on the force. They both were. It was a small town and Tom had played sports with most of the local guys in high school and college. Tom knew no one would give him any grief. The stranger didn’t.

  “No.” He didn’t raise his voice. He leaned down, placed his hands on the door of the car, and looked Tom dead in the eyes. “I’ll take care of you myself. When I’m done, you can call the police.” He straightened, a deadly smirk on his face. “If you’re able.”

  For once in his life, Tom didn’t argue. He paled slightly, but grumbled as he put the car in gear and took off down the road leaving Ariel alone with a man more than twice her size, who was obviously capable of violence when necessary. Tom was definitely a bastard.

  “You should really pick your boyfriends with more care.” The man turned to her as he spoke, his intense expression softening only sl
ightly. “For all he knows, I could be an ax murderer, yet he left you here all alone with me.”

  “That’s funny.” Ariel rolled her eyes, taking a tentative step away. She wanted to be brave, but her heart was breaking all over again. She refused to shed a tear over that sorry excuse for a man, but her hormones were working against her in that regard. “I was thinking the same thing.”

  He stuck out his hand in greeting. “Damien Carter.” That was all he said. There was no apology for his actions, only a calm civility as if this were an everyday occurrence.

  “Ariel Wilson.” She took his offered greeting and strong fingers closed around her much smaller hand. Ariel was struck how much it looked like a child’s hand in an adult’s, he was that much bigger. His grip was firm, but gentle and all too brief. In the perfect spot under the street lamp, the stranger gave her a great view of exactly whom she was dealing with. Ariel admired the sculpted muscles of his arm, the veins curling around his forearm and biceps. His chest was heavily muscled and his abdomen rippled with strength when he moved. A dark dusting of hair teased his skin and made her wonder if it was as silky as it looked. She was so lost in admiring his masculine beauty, she missed his question until she looked back at his face. His eyes danced with amusement. Damn her hormones. She was torn between sorrow for the lost life she’d had with Tom and desire for an absolute stranger. Ridiculous. She was definitely losing her mind.

  “I beg your pardon?” Ariel’s face heated. Grateful for her dark skin, she ducked her head hoping her hair would cover her embarrassment. Lord, the man was seriously fine! She had noticed the way he put his body between hers and Tom’s car. Now, though he stood close, he was careful to keep out of her personal space. Obviously, he was a considerate man, maybe even a bit protective. That thought sent another wave of heat coursing through her, and she was immediately ashamed of her reaction. Tom might be the kind of person to sleep with anyone who’d let him, but she wasn’t.

  “I asked where you were going.” He didn’t seem perturbed or annoyed that she hadn’t been paying attention to his words, only slightly amused. Ariel was certain her reaction wasn’t unusual to him. Women probably fell all over this man all the time.

  “To my sister’s,” she finally managed, pulling herself together. It was too bad, really. Under different circumstances, she would have liked to meet this man. He had a look about him. A look that said he protected what was his with his life, and never betrayed those he loved. Something Tom would never understand. Unshed tears threatened to spill once again, but she swallowed hard and held on to them by sheer willpower. “It’s just a couple of blocks down the street.”

  “Let’s go then. The sooner you get there, the sooner I can get back to bed.” There was amusement in his voice, but also a sexy gleam in his eye. The image of that big body sprawled between satin sheets sprang to mind and Ariel’s knees went weak. She seriously needed to take a cold shower. She could only attribute her wayward thoughts to an over-infestation of hormones and a healthy dose of disappointment in the male species as a general rule. She wanted this man to be different because he was so seriously good to look at. It would be a waste of a good man for him to be the same kind of asshole as Tom.

  She sighed and let Damien escort her down the block to her sister’s house. He stood at the bottom of the steps leading to the porch while Ariel rang the doorbell. A couple minutes later, her sister, Gretta peeked through the curtain before flinging the door open wide. “What the hell are you doing out at this time of night? It’s dangerous for a woman out by herself!”

  “Not to worry, Gretta. I looked after your sister.”

  Gretta looked past Ariel to Damien. “What happened?”

  “All I know is there was a guy making a bunch of racket and I put a stop to it. I need my beauty sleep, after all.”

  Gretta snorted. “You’re drop dead gorgeous and you know it. Now, get away before I call the cops and have you arrested for indecent exposure. And don't forget about clinic tomorrow. We missed it last week, and you know how the women at the senior citizens center love you.”

  Damien's chuckle made Ariel's body tremor and heat erotically. She didn't want to be affected by him, but there didn't seem to be any stopping herself. At this point, she didn't really care. She just wanted to get inside where it was safe to break down without making a fool of herself.

  "No sweat, Gretta. I missed our weekly appointment as much as the ladies did. Besides, they feed me on Mondays. There's nothing like a good home-cooked meal." He patted his belly in obvious appreciation and licked his lips. Ariel found herself mesmerized by the action. She had to blink a couple of times to shake the vision of those perfect lips closing around her nipple...

  Ariel shook herself. “I appreciate your help. I’m sorry Tom disturbed your sleep.”

  Damien winked at her as if they shared a secret of some kind. For some silly, girlish reason, it made her feel special. She immediately tamped down the unwanted emotion. “Any time, sugar.”

  Lord, there was that absolutely sexy Southern drawl. How could any red-blooded woman resist such a man? Especially as vulnerable as she currently was. Ariel knew she could absolutely make it on her own, but having a man who was as genuine as Damien seemed to be was the stuff fantasies were made of. Tom had never been that considerate of her. She was completely out of her mind and stupid beyond reason to have allowed herself to become pregnant. She’d love the child as much as any mother possibly could, but it stung that she hadn’t shared this joy with a man worthy of such love. She was pregnant with another man’s child. Even if Damien turned out to be the man of her dreams, there was no way he would start a relationship of any kind with her, and she couldn’t blame him. That just opened up all kinds of possibilities. None of them good.

  With another glance over her shoulder at the most gorgeous man she was likely ever to meet, Ariel entered her sister’s home. She let Gretta close and lock the door before dissolving into tears.

  Chapter Two

  Seven months later

  Ariel looked in the mirror with a critical eye. At thirty-three and a half weeks pregnant, her body was grossly bent out of shape, to her way of thinking. Her belly stood out farther than her breasts, which were even now growing well beyond their small A cup before her pregnancy. She had dark circles under her eyes, and let’s not forget the stretch marks. And morning, noon, and night sickness. No, pregnancy did not agree with her.

  Sighing, she finished dressing, remembering wistfully how she’d ended up here. Oh, she could hardly wait for her daughter to make her appearance, but she wished it would happen under different circumstances. Her lawyer had called that morning with the news that Tom had signed the papers relinquishing all parental rights. It had been a horrible, bitter battle, but she was finally free of the lying, cheating son of a bitch. It also meant her daughter would grow up without a father.

  In order to finish school, Ariel had left the hospital she loved and settled for a small, twenty-four hour clinic. It was rewarding, just not what she’d expected after nursing school. Still, she had made the change and was gradually finding her niche, especially after the Jackson brothers and Lilly took over the place. It didn’t take long before she felt right at home.

  In the clinic, she took blood pressures, temperatures, and blood samples from patients as well as giving medicine and vaccines. She was on her feet the vast majority of the day, and it was becoming increasingly difficult on her. She needed to find a way to stay off her feet even a little throughout the day, but her job was demanding and the place was always busy. Today was no exception.

  “Ariel, you need to rest. Sit down before you fall down,” Lilly Miller-Jackson admonished softly. Lilly was the new office manager and wife to one of the two owners of the clinic, though Ariel didn't know which one. The three of them seemed to have an...unusual relationship. “It’s not good for you to be working so hard.”

  Ariel managed a tentative smile. “I’m fine. If I don’t keep going, I’ll be off my fe
et completely, and I’ve still got a few more weeks to go.”

  “I absolutely will not have you hurting yourself because of this place. It’s not that important. You and your daughter are.” The tender way Lilly caressed her arm was almost Ariel’s undoing. Gretta waited on her hand and foot when she got home, but her sister wasn’t the sentimental type. She was the take-charge type and sometimes she was just too much to handle. Lilly, on the other hand, was gentle and careful, always doing things that made Ariel’s life a little easier.

  “Don’t worry so much about me.” Ariel patted the woman’s hand, truly grateful she did make a fuss over her, though too proud to admit it. “I have a few more things to do and I’ll take a break.”

  “See that you do.” Lilly raised an eyebrow at her. Her expression said she knew Ariel probably wouldn’t take that break, but she was letting it go for now.

  The day showed no signs of letting up. She’d been so busy and preoccupied with her current task, she ran into the new doctor, literally, before she’d actually met him. The next thing she new she found herself in the arms of a god.

  It took a couple of seconds to pull herself together, but when she did, her heart skipped a beat, then hammered in her chest painfully. “Damien?”

  His gaze swept her from head to toe, not flinching at her expanding middle. In fact, his face gave nothing away. He looked intensely at her, as if looking for something. His hands held her firmly at her waist, preventing her from falling. As they stood there, he moved one hand around her abdomen in a gentle caress. Ariel nearly dissolved into tears at the tender gesture, despite his hard gaze. This was how it was supposed to be. She didn’t need a man to protect and nurture her, but she desperately wanted one. A man like Damien Carter.