Finding Passion Series (Contemporary Romance) Read online

  Copyright © 2013 by Lucia Jordan

  This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places and incidents are products of the writer’s imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be constructed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locales or organizations is entirely coincidental.

  All rights reserved

  No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any manner whatsoever without written permission from the author except in the case of brief quotation embodied in critical articles and reviews.

  Table Of Contents

  Finding Passion Book 1: His Choice

  Finding Passion Book 2: His Heart

  Finding Passion Book 3: His Decision

  Finding Passion Book 4: His Love

  Finding Passion Book 1: His Love

  Myrna told herself over and over that she must have been crazy to have agreed to any of this – to have even come at all.

  When her phone rang earlier that evening and she’d heard Zach’s deep, cultured voice on the line, she should have hung up immediately. But she hadn’t. Instead, her heart started to pound with feminine excitement.

  “Zach…I mean Mr. Snow. How nice to hear from you,” she’d said faintly. Something quivered in between her thighs and she hated herself for her weakness. She’d never been confident around men like Zach: darkly handsome, self-possessed and charming. But with Zach, it was magnified ten-fold to the point that just knowing he was on the other end of the line made her senses swim and her knees buckle so hard she settled heavily into the nearest chair for support.

  “I told you, it’s Zach,” he said and she could almost hear his smile. “Are you alone?”

  His question took a while to register. “Uh…no. My cousin’s home – but she’s resting in her room.”

  “Can you come out with me tonight? Maybe have dinner?”

  “Me?” Myrna couldn’t keep the surprise from her tone.

  This time, he did laugh. A soft, low chuckle that was so sexy and bad. Myrna’s knees pressed together as she resisted the urge to press her hand down on her pulpy sex to will it to stop throbbing with arousal. Goodness! How his voice could make her want him so fiendishly made Myrna gasp. She was no blushing virgin. A tad inexperienced with the opposite sex maybe.

  But was that enough to be so aware of everything about Zach Snow? She’d met him just two days ago and already she knew she wanted him to fuck her – hard.

  She’d dreamt of it enough the last two nights to make it feel like only a matter of time before she’d have to do the unthinkable and actually try to bring herself to climax…something she’d never done before but now needed more than her next meal. Self-stimulation had always seemed so taboo to her but how on earth could she find release from her aching desire for this near stranger with his dangerous good looks and sexy voice?

  “Yes, Myrna. You,” Zach was saying plainly. “Downstairs. I’ll be in front of your place in fifteen minutes.”

  Oh God. Myrna’s mind went blank for what seemed like a full minute. But was just a few seconds. What could she say? Dumbstruck with excitement and elation, she couldn’t even breathe, much less speak.

  His knowing chuckle brought her back to her senses. “I really want to see you again. We never really had the chance to talk in the last few days since we met. It’s my wish that we get to – know each other better. I know this fine Italian restaurant just a few minutes from my hotel. Afterwards, I’d like you to come up to my suite; we could share a bottle of wine. Well, Myrna?”

  Myrna drew in a ragged breath. What could she say? She knew what she was getting herself into if she agreed to meet up with him. Dinner and then a visit to his hotel suite…she wasn’t naïve enough to think the wine was all he’d want to share.

  “I’m nearing your neighborhood, Myrna. Yes or no?” Zach asked and the commanding tone of his voice snapped her to attention. It was that simple really; she could accept or refuse. So what was it going to be?”

  Head spinning, Myrna snatched in a breath, lips parting as she sought to form her response…

  ***

  It all began two nights ago.

  Myrna would have rather not chosen to go on the double-date with Ashley but her cousin could be hard to defy when she had her mind made up.

  Ashley had decided that since Myrna couldn’t get a decent man on her own, Ashley would just have to set her up on a blind date. They would be meeting Ashley’s new ‘catch’ she’d met online who’d also agreed to bring a friend, making it a foursome.

  Ashley finally convinced the reluctant Myrna to come along when Ashley pointed out she’d need some sort of chaperone especially with meeting Josh, her online admirer, for the first time.

  Myrna finally gave in, telling herself she couldn’t keep hiding from the world or the chance to meet someone new. A really hurtful breakup recently was no reason to shy from men. Nothing to lose in trying again, was there?

  They arrived at the club where the two men had scheduled them to meet. Myrna had felt out of place in her clingy little black number that barely skimmed her thighs. It was an outfit Ashley had picked out in the shop just that day and Myrna still had misgivings about if it really suited her or just made her look like a tramp. Add that to the layers of makeup Ashley had insisted she wear – Myrna was pretty sure she looked as silly as she felt.

  It never looked bad when Ashley did it. Her blonde cousin always had a pound of slapper on and her clothes always seemed just a size too small but she never seemed anything but smoking hot and alluring. Guys never stopped staring at Ashley when they both went out and Myrna felt any attention she got was second-thought.

  But she never really minded; she liked being in the background; staying in Ashley’s shadow made her feel…safe. She never had to worry about undue attention, none of which she could handle. She still had self-image issues from when she’d been a bullied overweight teenager. And even now when she looked in the mirror and knew she was a changed person, that didn’t keep away all the doubts. Yes she ate healthier, kept fit and stayed away from too much alcohol and didn’t touch cigarettes or drugs…but still, she was far from sex-symbol material.

  Myrna had been nervous about meeting her blind date Carl, who was a friend of Josh’s, Ashley’s date. But they turned out to be pretty cool, if somewhat preppy and garrulous.

  Carl was the type who got touchy-feely pretty fast. He bought Myrna a few drinks and pulled her onto the dance floor. Myrna could see Ashley dancing with Josh just yards away; the club was crowded and brightly lit and Myrna felt uncomfortable when Carl tugged her against his body and reached for her ass.

  “That’s a lot of cake to bite into, sexy,” he said, bending to nip at her ear with what he seemed to think was a sexy growl.

  Really? Groping her in public was meant to make her feel good? Disgusted, Myrna pushed against his chest. “Stop it. I don’t like being mauled.”

  Carl drew back as if slapped. It was clear no girl had ever refused him before; his handsome face with his longish blond hair and athletic body must usually get him a lot of female admirers. He left Myrna cold though. He spoke and touched her like she was a mere object and she hated it. Myrna needed something real.

  “I wasn’t expecting to be hooked up with a prude,” Carl commented, hands still hitched to her waist. He tipped his chin in the direction of the couple dancing just across from them. “They look like they’re having fun.”

  Myrna looked over her shoulder and saw her cousin Ashley with her back against Josh’s chest, grinding up against his loins in a way that was too crude even for the nightclub. Josh looked like he was in hea
ven, grinning with his face lowering to nuzzle Ashley’s hair.

  Myrna blushed heavily as she faced the smirking Carl. “I’m sorry if I seem prudish,” she forced herself to say, moving even more stiltedly than ever to the music. “I’m just never really feel free around strangers.”

  Carl grinned unrepentantly as once again, he tugged her even closer. “It’ll be easy as pie to remedy that. The ‘stranger’ part that is. I live just a few blocks away, babe. A few glasses of wine and a hot tub for two is just what we need to get acquainted and who knows where that will lead, hmmm?”

  Dammit he was groping her again, this time reaching just underneath her breasts. A few more inches and she’d be spilling into his palms. Myrna was at a loss what to do.

  Her eyes unconsciously flew across the expanse of the club. For some reason her gaze caught then held with the stare of an enigmatic looking man seated at the bar.

  He was nursing a drink alone, and he was watching them. His unreadable stare made Myrna flush even redder. But before she could register anything more about him, she felt Carl’s hands close right over her breasts and squeeze. She almost jumped a foot and to her horror he burst out laughing, his alcoholic breath making her grimace.

  “Hey!” Carl chuckled as she shoved him away angrily. “I can’t help it if you’ve got so much to grab onto! Never was much of a man for the extra padding… But for you, sugar I’ll make an exception.”

  “Wish I could say the same,” Myrna said coldly before spinning blindly around and heading straight for the exit. She heard both Carl and Ashley call out her name but she ignored them. She actually felt tears prick her eyes but shoved them back.

  By the time she found her way outside the club, she was panting with anger and disgust at herself. Why couldn’t she meet anyone decent? What was it about her that made men want to take her for granted? She knew she wasn’t so fat or disgusting that some guy had to ‘make do’ with a creep like Carl. Fuck it! She fumed, already thinking of finding a cab before she realized she’d left her purse at home. Double fuck!

  Just then, Ashley appeared. “What happened, Myrna?” Her concern made Myrna calm down enough to relay what happened.

  “I can’t go back in there. I can’t face that prick again,” Myrna said through gritted teeth.

  “What a jerk. I can’t believe he’d treat you like that. I have to tell Josh…,” Ashley said vengefully.

  “Look, just leave it. He was obviously tipsy or something. Who cares? But don’t let me ruin your night. Josh looks cool – go for it. I just need some cash for a cab…”

  Ashley looked crestfallen. “I didn’t think that far ahead. I was so sure we’d get a ride home from one of those…pricks. Sorry. Maybe we could go in and demand they drop us off…”

  Myrna’s look told Ashley how much of a bad idea that sounded.

  “So what are we gonna do? Cos I’m not dumping you out here so I can go back in and party. We could walk. It’s only a few blocks.”

  Myrna felt relieved and touched. “Yeah.”

  But they hadn’t bargained on the slick pavements from a recent drizzle and with the heels they had on…they hadn’t walked a few yards down the street before Ashley suddenly yelped and doubled over. Myrna caught her just in time.

  “Shit! These damned stilettos! I think I sprained my left ankle,” Ashley swore, leaning heavily on Myrna’s supporting arm.

  The evening looked like it would get from bad to worse. But that was the exact moment he showed up.

  Myrna looked up and he was there. She recognized him from back in the club. Mid thirtyish, handsome and dressed in stylish corporate wear, unbuttoned at the throat. He looked like he’d come out straight from work.

  “Need any help, ladies?” He had an accent, definitely an out-of-towner. Was he here on business? Myrna’s guesswork turned out mostly correct when he got to answer their questions a bit later. Ashley had taken one look at him and all but swooned. He’d grinned at her reaction, seemingly oblivious to the blonde’s fixed stare as he offered to give them a lift wherever they were going.

  “I saw you both from back inside the club. Now I’m thinking, here are two damsels in distress that won’t say no to a bit of a helping hand.”

  He had a great smile and yet Myrna felt uneasy at first about accepting a lift from him. What if he was some stalker who’d followed them from the club?

  But Ashley had no such scruples. “Actually there’s only one damsel in distress here and I’ll need a hand getting in your car, handsome. You did say something about a lift, didn’t you?”

  He laughed at Ashley’s forthrightness. “My hotel is just round the corner but I did bring my Mercedes. It’s rented since I’m only around for a few days but…I’d love to take you anywhere you’re going. I’m Zach. Zach Snow.” He held out his hand to Ashley, who shook it and to Myrna’s inner embarrassment, held on just that bit longer than necessary as she introduced herself. “Ashley Pearson and this is my cousin, Myrna Wilkes.”

  “Mr. Snow,” Myrna heard herself say primly as he briefly took her hand. She remembered that feeling she had when she’d first caught his look across the crowded club. The coincidence of getting to meet him in person seemed far-fetched but still, she couldn’t look a gift horse in the mouth. He looked harmless enough – if a man that looked like a walking sex god could look harmless.

  He was just above six feet, she guessed, every inch of him serious hard muscle even beneath the layers of refinement offered by his well-made grey suit and dazzling white shirt. He had chiseled features straight out of a classy men’s magazine. Even his cologne smelled expensive as it wafted faintly in the night air.

  “Please call me Zach,” he said, meeting her gaze for a fleeting second as his strong hand closed around hers. He had the deepest brown eyes she’d ever seen, and silver streaks in his hair that belied his youthful demeanor. A shiver of awareness shot up her arm at his touch and stirring, baritone voice. Myrna was at a loss, if only briefly before he released her and turned to Ashley.

  “Looks like you definitely need a hand making it to the car,” he said with a smile. Ashley let out a small cry of surprise as he easily swept her into his arms and headed for the sleek Mercedes parked just round the corner. Myrna rolled her eyes, but couldn’t blame Ashley for taking advantage; he really was a hot specimen. Hopefully, he wasn’t a serial killer about to whisk them both to his dungeon…

  It was surprising how things all turned out. He drove them both to the apartment building they shared and once again he carried Ashley, this time out of the car. Ashley couldn’t seem to make it up the few steps to the entrance that would take them to the lifts. It didn’t look that serious but she said she definitely needed to keep any pressure off. Zach carried her into the lift, which worked, thankfully. He held onto her as they all went up to the eighth-floor apartment.

  Having Zach inside their home seemed to dwarf the simple yet trendy surroundings. Myrna made herself useful by going to get the first aid kit. By the time she returned she found Zach crouched beside Ashley’s chair where her foot was propped up on a stool. He was laughing at something Ashley said and Myrna paused to view them together. A sharp stab of envy shot through Myrna as she saw how easily Ashley got along with the stranger. Myrna would have had no clue what to say to him but Ashley, who worked in marketing and sales, had no problem getting Zach to feel like they’d known each other for ages.

  He stayed long enough to make sure Ashley would be fine, but declined Myrna’s somewhat stiff offer of coffee or a drink. “I need to be going. I have an early meeting tomorrow. It was nice running into you ladies.”

  “The pleasure’s definitely ours,” Ashley purred with a smile, and to Myrna’s hidden consternation, added, “And you must let us offer our thanks in some way. Myrna’s a whiz in the kitchen and can whip up dinner for us tomorrow. We hope you’ll join us, say seven?”

  Myrna had been so sure he’d refuse. Instead, Zach said simply, “No thanks necessary, but I’d be honored to join y
ou lovely ladies for dinner tomorrow.” He took Ashley’s hand and kissed it gallantly, making the slender blonde blush. Myrna’s brows lifted in amazement; it took a lot to make Ashley blush. Myrna told herself she could feel the chemistry coming off the two of them: kindred beautiful people – was it a wonder they were so attracted to each other?

  “Why don’t you see our charming rescuer out Myrna,” Ashley finally said, as she reluctantly withdrew her hand from Zach’s.

  Myrna was rubbing damp palms on her skirt as she headed to the front door with Zach following. She held open the door and still hadn’t looked him in the eye. He made his exit with a deep, “Goodnight, Myrna,” and just those two words reverberated through her.

  For some reason she was panting as she rested against the locked door for long moments after he was gone. His sexy cologne lingered lightly along with his natural masculine aroma. Myrna shivered thinking how silky and warm his touch had felt when he’d first shaken her hand. She felt somewhat put out that she didn’t get the chivalrous kiss on the back of the hand. But then Myrna hadn’t exactly given him the chance for an intimate goodbye. In her shyness she’d all but hustled him out of the door and virtually left him staring at the door which she’d slammed in his face.

  This episode made Myrna all the more disinclined to meet him again. There was no way she could act normal around him. It didn’t help that Ashley spent the whole night and next day talking about him. Myrna made a last ditch attempt to cry out of the dinner date, offering only to cook and then make herself scarce while both he and Ashley got to know each other.

  “I mean, it’s obvious it’s you he’s interested in,” Myrna said with carefully toned casualness as she chopped spices for the meal. “I’ll just be in the way.”

  “You think he’s interested?” Ashley asked dreamily, looking pleased at the prospect. “Well, he did find it hard to take his eyes off me the whole time he was here. But you can’t abandon me now, Myrna! I’ll need you to help with the serving and everything. With my ankle in a cast I’ll need all the assistance I can get!”