Yours and Yours Alone Read online

  Loving Large 3: Yours, and Yours Alone

  ©2020 Marilyn Lee

  All Rights Reserved

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. All service marks, registered trademarks, and registered service marks are the property of their respective owners and are used herein for identification purposes only.

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  Table of Contents

  Copyright Page

  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

  Epilogue

  Long Line of Love 1: Nights Of Desire Excerpt | © 2007 Marilyn Lee | All Rights Reserved

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  Further Reading: The Talisman

  Chapter One

  WHEN HIS PLANE LANDED at LAX late one Friday evening in April, Raven Elkhorn’s plan for the next three weeks included devoting more time to exercise, catching up with friends, and, hopefully, enjoying a week each with his two favorite friends with benefits, Tasha and Kia.

  The state where he was born and raised no longer felt like home since his entire family had relocated to the East Coast and the only woman he’d ever loved was living in Japan with her husband. If he weren’t so damned horny, he would have returned to the Tri-State Philadelphia area, which still lacked that “home” feeling. But at least his mother and brothers and their families were there.

  “Ray!”

  He turned in the airport terminal to see an attractive woman with smooth dark-skin, and a warm smile rushing towards him with her arms outstretched. Rena, the best friend of Kania Jamison. Or was she Rena’s twin sister, Cari?

  As she reached him, he smiled, and leaned down to kiss her cheek. “Rena. Nice to see you again.”

  She slipped her arm through his. “You have no idea how glad I am to see you. I’m on my way out of town for business, but Nia’s not at her best lately. Cari is giving her a party tonight. You can go and help cheer her up.”

  Raven frowned. “Kania? She’s supposed to be in Japan. Did Hank’s job offer fall through? Is that why she’s depressed? Or is she still reeling from losing the baby and her father?”

  She sighed and shook her head. “Those are pains that will probably linger for God only knows how long.”

  He nodded, recalling the way she’d burst into tears and collapsed in his arms when he and his brother Neka had visited her a month after she lost her baby. The miscarriage had occurred just two months after her father’s death, which made it even more difficult for her. “But?”

  “But you can ask her when you go to Cari’s party tonight. Just don’t bring up the miscarriage unless she does. Once she sees you, she’ll perk up.”

  It had been eight long months since he’d seen her. “What makes you think seeing me will cheer her up?”

  “Because you are her favorite Elkhorn brother.”

  Kania and his older brother, Braden had been friends and lovers for years before she ended their relationship. During the years Raven had known her, she had never given any indication she held any special regard for him. Did she like flirting with him? Yes, but she and Seneka had formed, a warm bond. Him? Not so much. “I think you’re confusing me with Neka,” he said. “She’s always been very fond of him and they became even closer after Kelly’s death,” he said of Seneka’s first wife.

  “Seneka. Hmm. Tall, sexy as hell, and unafraid to express his feelings. What’s not to like? Of course she’s fond of him, but she told me once that you had a certain something that your brothers’ lacked.”

  “Shameless ruthlessness?”

  She laughed. “I suppose corporate attorneys at your level have to possess a certain degree of ruthless to be as successful as you are. However, I doubt she would view that as a quality that made you stand out from Seneka and Shane,” she said of his other brother. Seneka was three years his senior, Shane, two years his junior. “And she did say you were her favorite of Braden’s brothers. So go cheer her up and let her answer all your questions tonight. Should I get Cari to invite Tasha or Kia?”

  And have him spend most of the night entertaining one of them when all he really wanted was to see Kania? “Thanks, but I’m a little tired and was planning an early night.”

  “But you will at least stop by and say hi to Kania? I know she’d love to see you.”

  “How do you know that?”

  “Hello? We’ve been best friends for most of our lives. Granted I know she’d be happy to see Seneka or Shane, but I also know that if given a choice, you’d be her first pick.” She shrugged. “Behind Braden, of course.”

  “Of course.”

  She frowned. “But play your cards right and one of these days, he’ll be a distance second to you.”

  “I seriously doubt that.”

  “Do you? Really? Maybe you shouldn’t.”

  “Do you know something I don’t?”

  “I know lots of things about her that you don’t.” She smiled and shrugged. “But listen, even if you don’t stay, please at least stop by on your way home. Do you need the address?”

  “Has she moved?”

  “Yes. She’s staying at her Dad’s house.” She gave him the address. “Do you know where it is?”

  “No, but I’ll find it.”

  “Great. I’ll call Cari to tell her you’re coming.”

  “And Kania?”

  “No. It will be a nicer surprise if she doesn’t know you’re coming. You might be able to sneak up on her and catch her in a compromising position.”

  He frowned. “With whom?”

  “Yourself. Who else?”

  “Me?”

  “Yes, Raven Elkhorn, you.”

  What the hell had Kaia said to her?

  “Just because I’m a very happily married woman doesn’t mean I can’t still put two and two together and come up with four. I know when there’s shit that’s overripe for feasting,” she said as if he'd spoken aloud.

  He stared at her.

  “I have eyes and I’ve heard some of the shit you’ve said to her—regardless of who was listening.”

  “And you’re saying...”

  “Maybe it’s time to reap the rewards for all that outrageous flirting and feast on the crop you’ve spent years sowing. Bring in the sheaves, so to speak.”

  Damn, he must have been even more careless than he’d thought. He recalled his last meeting with Kania’s husband. “Somehow I doubt Hank will be in an ingathering mood.”

  “He won’t be there.”

  “Why not?”

  “You’ll find out tonight,” she said, glancing at her phone. “The party or should I say the harvest starts in two hours. I must run. Happy feasting, tall, dark, and handsome.” She kissed his cheek and walked away.

  After getting his luggage, he picked up his rental car, and drove to his downtown office, now managed by his partner and friend, Victor Morgan. Everyone had left for the weekend, so he let himself in. He took a shower and change
d into a suit in the smaller of the two executive offices he occupied when in L.A. Then he sat at his desk, trying to decide if he should call Braden.

  The last time he’d talked to him, Braden had given no indication that Kania’s move to Japan had fallen through. Although Braden and Kania’s relationship had ended years earlier and they were both married to other people, they had remained close friends. And Braden and his wife Neida had flown to California to see her after she’d miscarried.

  Glancing at his watch, he decided against calling Braden. He’d find out for himself why Kania was still in L.A. And just maybe he’d get a chance to confirm for himself if there he might finally have a chance with her. In the meantime, he decided he couldn’t put off calling his mother.

  With his three brothers married with at least one child each, his mother’s mission in life was to marry him off. “Raven! How are you?”

  “I’m fine. How are you, Mom?”

  “I can’t describe how happy having grand babies to love and adore makes me.”

  He smiled. “I’m pretty sure they all think you’re the best gran ever.”

  “I have so much for which to be thankful. So much joy, but I have room in my heart for more grand babies. Fathered by you.”

  “Mom, I hate to disappoint you, but—”

  “You never disappoint me. Never. When are you coming home?”

  “In a few weeks.”

  “Are you seeing anyone?”

  He’d consider himself lucky if he could get through one conversation with her without discussing his love life. Or lack thereof.

  “You have so much to offer some lucky woman and thirty-seven is an ideal age to settle down,” she said.

  By which she meant he was getting a little long in the tooth to still be single and childless.

  “Who are you dating?”

  He suppressed a sigh. “No one special.”

  “Don’t you want what your brothers have?”

  “Yes, but to have what they have, I’d have to be married to a woman I loved. That’s not likely to happen anytime soon.” At least it wouldn’t happen while Kania was married to her jealous, idiotic husband. But then maybe it was time he attempted to change her marital status.

  “You have so much to offer and I just want you to be happy.”

  “I know, Mom and when the time is right, I will be. Until then, please understand that I’m not going to marry a woman I don’t love.”

  She spoke after a noticeable silence. “When you do fall in love, I will happily welcome the woman of your choice into the family. If you love her, I will give her the warmest welcome.”

  He knew that was her way of acknowledging that her approach to Braden and Kania’s relationship had been less than ideal. Although he loved her dearly, he felt certain that had she been more accepting of Braden and Kania’s relationship, Braden would have proposed. She would have accepted and become his sister-in-law. Thank God his mother had given their relationship a chilly reception.

  “Thank you, Mom.”

  “If you happen to see Kania while you’re there, give her my warmest and heartfelt regards.”

  “I’ll do that.”

  “Do you expect to see her?”

  “I’ve been invited to a party tonight where she’ll be.”

  She sighed. “I know that I played an unfortunate part in the end of her relationship with Braden, but that doesn’t mean I didn’t and don’t care about her. I do.”

  “Her father played a part in that as well, Mom, so don’t beat yourself up. And both she and Bray are married now, so it’s water under the bridge.” He changed the subject to her grandkids and she happily followed along. They spoke for another twenty minutes before he left his office.

  As he parked at Cari’s house, the sound of music reached his ears. Eager to see Kania, he walked up the pathway and rang the bell. Cari answered the door almost immediately, wearing a rather skimpy bikini. “Ray! I’m so glad you came.”

  As if anything short of an act of God would have kept his away from a chance to see Kania again. “Thanks for having me,” he said offering her a bottle of wine and a bouquet of flowers.

  She glanced at the label and sniffed the flowers. “Oh. Nice. Thanks.”

  “A pool party?”

  She nodded. “But not everyone’s swimming. So don’t worry if you don’t have trunks with you. Nia’s already here. Go through and say hello.”

  “And where will Hank be while I’m doing that?”

  “Didn’t Rena tell you?”

  “She told me he wouldn’t be here, but not why or even if he’s showing up later.”

  “Go ask Nia. She’s in the living room.” She urged him inside and closed the door.

  He glanced around and walked towards the sound of music. Halfway down the hall, a set of double doors were opened. He glanced inside the room that contained about twenty people. A beautiful, full-figured woman wearing a dark pink bathing suit with a short skirt that lovingly caressed her beautiful ass and showcased her long, luscious legs stood talking to two other women, also in swimwear.

  Tearing his gaze away from her ass, he glanced around. There wasn’t another man in sight. Oh, fuck! He knew what that meant.

  Still, the sight of Kania mitigated his annoyance for what he knew would be an otherwise long and trying night. Smiling, he crossed the room. “Cher.”

  She glanced around, her eyes flashing a surprise welcome. “Elkhorn!”

  Damn, he’d almost forgotten how her slow, sensual smile transformed her pretty face into physical perfection. She had warm, expressive brown eyes, a nose of perfect portions for her lovely face, and those, full, luscious lips he longed to devour. Add natural breasts to the picture and damn, but she was the most attractive woman he’d ever seen. And he ached for her. As he always had.

  “Raven Elkhorn!” She rushed across the room to burrow into his arms.

  Feeling her soft, curvaceous body pressed against his made retaining his control of his desire difficult. Still, he resisted the urge to allow his hands to slide down from her back to cup her ass. And when she lifted her head to smile up at him with her lips slighted parted, he contented himself with briefly bushing his cheek against hers. “It’s so good to see you again, cheré,” he said softly before he released her.

  “And you.” Resting her hands on his arms, she leaned up and pressed a quick kiss against his cheek. “What are you doing here?”

  “Aren’t you happy to see me?”

  “I’m delighted to see you—as I always am.”

  “I heard you were here so naturally I couldn’t stay away,” he admitted.

  She looked across the room.

  He glanced over his shoulder. “Who are you looking for?”

  She looked up at him. “Tasha or Kia. Which one did you bring?”

  “Neither. I came to see you.”

  “You mean I have you all to myself?”

  “Yes.”

  She slipped her arm through his. “Wonderful.”

  “That is until Hank comes to snatch you away.”

  Her smile vanished. “That would be difficult, considering he’s in Japan.”

  Damn. If he’d know Hank wouldn’t make an appearance at all, he’d have bought her roses. “When are you joining him?”

  “I’m not,” she said.

  “Why not?”

  “It’s a long story.” She disengaged her arm and walked away before he could respond.

  He followed her across the room and out the French doors to the pool area, nodding at the women he knew. There were several women swimming. Kania paused to pick up a robe from a chair around the pool before continuing down a short tree-lined path that ended in a secluded area with a padded bench.

  She sat and looked up at him.

  He slipped onto the bench beside her. “Do you want to talk about it?”

  She shook her head. “I’m sure you have better things to do with your Friday night than listen to my problems.”

  “Yo
u know I never ask a question that I don’t want a truthful answer to.”

  She sighed and looked away from him. “This is a party. We’re supposed to have fun.”

  He slipped his arm along the back of the bench but didn’t touch her. “I’m going to find that difficult when you’re clearly not happy.”

  She turned to face him, a smile warming her gaze.

  Damn, she was a beautiful woman.

  “You’re sweet.”

  “I don’t consider that a compliment, cher.”

  “That’s how I meant it.”

  “I know, but I don’t know many men who want to be told they’re ‘sweet.’”

  “Men are so damned strange.”

  He brushed his fingers against her shoulder. “What happened?”

  “How is Braden and Neida and J.R?”

  “They’re all fine. How is Hank?”

  “Unreasonable and jealous.”

  “Of Braden? Still?”

  She nodded and then shook her head. “No matter how many times I remind him that I left Braden and that he’s happily married with one child and another on the way, he...”

  “Is Braden the only one happily married?”

  “It’s a little hard to be happily married when Hank’s in Japan and I’m here alone.”

  “I expected you to be in Japan with him.”

  “So did I, but things didn’t work out as I’d hoped. I quit my job and then...he insisted I remain here.”

  “Are you okay for money? Because I’m be happy to—”

  “Yes. I am. Thanks.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Yes. Thanks.”

  “He wasn’t afraid to leave you here alone?”

  “What is there for him to fear? I told him that I fell out of love with Braden years ago, but he insisted I stay here and get him out of my system.”

  “And is he out of your system?”

  “Completely.”

  “And Hank?”

  She frowned. “He’s my husband.”

  “So I noticed. And?”

  “And I love him.”

  Fuck. “And does he love you?”

  “Of course he does.”

  “So your marriage is...what? Healthy? Strong? Struggling?”

  “As you know, we’ve had some...problems, but I’m determined to work them out.”