Diamonds and Revolvers Read online

  Diamonds and Revolvers

  Military Moguls

  Book Two

  By Olivia Jaymes

  www.OliviaJaymes.com

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  Dedication

  To all the servicemen and women who leave behind loved ones to serve their country.

  Diamonds and Revolvers

  Christian wants Susie, but Susie wants Dane.

  While on leave five years ago, Christian Rhodes spent one amazing evening with Susie Langtree. He didn’t even kiss her but a man knows when a woman is special. So he’s thrilled they’ll be thrown together at Seb and Amanda’s destination wedding.

  Susie has been pining after Dane Braxton for years and this wedding is her chance to make him see all that he’s been missing. She’s packed her high heels and sexy lingerie. He won’t know what hit him.

  Quickly sizing up the situation, Chris realizes he has to move fast and show her the time of her life. Swept off her feet by flowers and candlelight, Susie is seeing Chris in a whole new light.

  Everything is going great, until Dane makes a move on Susie…

  DIAMONDS AND REVOLVERS

  Kindle Edition

  Copyright © 2014 by Olivia Jaymes

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000.

  All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Dedication

  About the Book

  Copyright Page

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  About the Author

  Chapter One

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  Susie Langtree groaned and rolled over, her head pounding and her mouth cotton ball dry. Letting one eyelid open halfway, she could see the yellow-pink light of early dawn filter through the gauzy curtains of the luxurious room. It took a moment for her to remember she wasn’t in her own bed but in a glamorous mansion located on a tropical private island in the Caribbean. She was the maid of honor in Amanda and Seb’s destination wedding.

  There had been a party last night at the impressive resort up the road that had been bought out for the wedding guests, many of whom had arrived yesterday. The wedding wasn’t until Saturday but Seb and Amanda had spared no expense to entertain their friends and family. Last evening’s soiree had included a jazz band, a buffet, and flowing champagne.

  That same champagne was currently making her feel as if tiny little men with hammers were pounding the inside of her skull. She rubbed her temples and opened her eyes fully, wincing slightly even though the light coming in through the window was still rather weak.

  Too early to be awake. I’ll go back to sleep.

  Reaching out to pull the sheet up over her body so she could cuddle in the blankets, her fingers landed on something smooth and warm. A few seconds of exploration and her breath caught in her throat. She swallowed hard and turned her head to the left very slowly, not wanting what her befuddled mind was telling her to be true.

  What have I done?

  She edged toward the far side of the mattress clutching the sheet to her breasts and gazed at the companion in her bed with growing horror and mortification.

  Wait. Scratch that. She was in his bed.

  Although the rooms at the mansion were quite similar each one had a different color scheme. She’d been given the rose room, the decor a soft floral pink. This room was a jewel-toned turquoise, more masculine than feminine.

  Speaking of man…

  The man lying next to her sleeping peacefully was Christian Rhodes, Seb’s best man and best friend. Susie had known Chris for years; their families traveled in the same social circles. Although Chris was ten years older he’d never treated her like a pest even when she probably was one. They’d seen each other every now and then when he’d been on leave from the Army and had managed to build a casual and easy friendship. A friendship that Susie valued.

  Now that same friend was lying on his stomach, the sheet bunched around his hips so his broadly muscled back and tight ass was on display. His golden skin contrasted with the white of the linen and she had to tighten her fingers into fists to keep from reaching out and tracing a line down his spine.

  Handsome, square jawed features were relaxed in sleep, his short brown hair mussed and falling over his brow. His eyes were closed and his long, dark lashes fanned out on his cheeks. She had a distinct memory of those same lashes brushing the sensitive flesh of her belly as he’d kissed a trail to more intimate locales.

  Heat flooded her cheeks as more sensual images flashed in front of her eyes, each one more carnal than the last. She didn’t know if it was the island or the champagne but she’d let herself go last night in ways she never had before. Usually more concerned about the cellulite on her thighs, she had a tough time relaxing enough to enjoy sex to the fullest.

  But under the full moon she’d thrown caution to the wind and allowed herself to revel in all the pleasure her body could hold. Instead of worrying about what someone else was thinking of her, she’d cleared her mind of everything but the here and now.

  In other words, the sex had been freakin’ awesome.

  Normally laid back and easygoing Chris had turned into an alpha sex god. He’d dominated her senses and easily taken control of her body and she’d gladly given him that power. The pleasure she’d received in return had been a more than ample reward.

  And all of that naked fun was exactly the reason she had to get out of this bedroom before he opened his golden brown eyes. She couldn’t face him after all the things they’d done to each other. Hell, she wasn’t sure she could even face herself.

  A quick look around the room revealed her clothes were scattered on the floor. They’d been in a hurry to get them out of the way and she could still recall how his warm, callused fingers had sent zings of electricity through her body everywhere he’d touched.

  Don’t think about that.

  Carefully sliding out of the bed so as not to jar the mattress, she tiptoed across the floor picking up her panties and shoes while at the same time tugging on her dress. Chris stirred just as she turned the doorknob, the latch clicking loudly in the silence. She froze and held her breath, waiting for him to lever up from the bed and say something but he stayed still and quiet, his breathing even.

  Exhaling slowly in relief, she cracked open the door and looked out into the hallway.

  Deserted, thank God. She didn’t need witnesses to her shame.

  Entering the hall, she softly closed the door behind her and slid down the wall toward her own room. If she could get there without being seen she would have some time to think about what she was going to do and how she was going to handle this.

  Creeping down the hall, she kept an eye out for any early risers. Amanda had been known to get up at the crack of dawn and go for a run on the beach with her fiancé Seb. If Amanda saw Susie sneaking back to her room with her panties wadded up in a shoe there was going to be hell to pay. She’d never be able to explain her way out of this in a million years.

  Of course Amanda wouldn’t be angry that Susie had slept with Chris. No, she’d be happy. She’d been talking up Chris for months whenever Susie was around.

  Why would Amanda be upset? By the fact that
Susie didn’t intend to sleep with Chris again. Actually she hadn’t intended to sleep with him last night but obviously things got out of hand. They’d been laughing and talking, drinking champagne. At one point they’d been dancing and that’s when the real trouble started.

  She breathed a sigh of relief as she entered her bedroom and closed the door behind her. Falling backwards onto the bed with a groan of shame, she pressed her hands over her eyes but it did nothing to block the images of her and Chris together doing erotic and naughty things. Good things. Fun things. Like the way his tongue danced around–.

  Stop!

  When she’d boarded the charter flight to the island yesterday she had two things in mind. The first? Be a good maid of honor by helping Amanda as much as possible. The second? Finally get hottie Dane Braxton to see her as more than just Amanda’s friend and business partner.

  That second mission was why Susie’s suitcase was filled with brand new lace bras and panties, fuck-me high heels, and sexy dresses. She’d planned to knock Dane out of his socks; only the first night in the mansion she ended up out of her clothes and in Chris’s bed.

  So what did she do now?

  Eventually she was going to have to talk to Chris. He was the best man and she was the maid of honor so avoiding him for the next week wasn’t an option. She was going to have to tell him that although the night had been amazing – and boy, that was an understatement – it couldn’t happen again. They were friends and this was only going to mess with that.

  Sitting up, she pulled the wrinkled dress over her head and tossed it on the mattress before heading into the shower. There was no way she was going to sleep with all this turmoil on her mind. She might as well get up and get the day started. Maybe after a shower and some breakfast she’d have some idea what to say to Chris.

  And then she could figure out how to stop thinking every five seconds about the way Chris kissed.

  *

  Chris was alone in the bed. He knew even before he opened his eyes and checked the clock on the side table. Eight-thirty. Not bad considering it had been well after midnight before he and Susie had made it back to his room. It had been almost four before they’d fallen asleep sated and exhausted with smiles on their faces.

  But Susie’s beautiful face was nowhere to be found in the harsh light of day. The image of how she’d looked last night was etched in his memory. Long copper-colored hair spilled over the creamy skin of her shoulders. Dark green eyes and full, sensuous lips that beckoned and promised. Generous curves he’d traced with his hands and mouth. Susie Langtree was damn gorgeous.

  His hand ran over her side of the bed and the sheets were cold. However long she’d been gone had been enough for the heat of her body to fade away.

  And there had been plenty of heat last night. She’d been wild and uninhibited in her responses, physically and verbally exhorting him, wanting more. He’d been happy to give her anything she wanted. The more he gave Susie the more he received in return. Making love to her had been a revelation. The evening might have started as a harmless flirtation between two old friends but somewhere along the line it had taken a very different turn.

  Susie had always been special. Sweet and smart, she had a zest for life that matched his own. To find out they were completely in tune sexually had been a pleasant shock. She’d reveled in his dominance, submitting sweetly. He hadn’t pulled out any handcuffs or paddles last night but he wouldn’t be surprised if she was excited by such implements. She’d enjoyed being commanded and directed, letting him take complete control.

  He couldn’t wait to do it again. The question was when would that be?

  Levering out of bed, he padded to the bathroom and ducked under a hot shower. The entire situation wasn’t going to be an easy one. Everyone knew that Susie had a crush on Dane. In fact, Chris was sure that the figure-hugging dress she’d been wearing last night hadn’t been for him but for his buddy Dane. He had a bad boy reputation that seemed to attract women in droves. Chris on the other hand wasn’t interested in cultivating hordes of females to follow him around. Since leaving the Army last year he’d been looking for one special lady.

  How was he to know she’d been right under his own nose?

  Stepping out of the shower, he wrapped a towel around his waist and used a second to dry his hair before tossing them both away. Walking naked to the closet, he pulled out a pair of khaki shorts and a dark blue t-shirt.

  Chris quickly dressed, brushed his teeth, and shaved so he could head down to breakfast. No better time than the present to find out where Susie had run off to and why. It looked like he was going to need to do some heavy convincing if he wanted a repeat of last night. She had a head start on thinking up all the reasons it shouldn’t happen again.

  But he was determined not to let her erect barriers between the two of them.

  The biggest barrier needed to be dealt with immediately. Chris was almost certain Dane didn’t have any interest in Susie but he needed to be absolutely sure. Man to man. Best friend to best friend. Although with the way he felt Chris wasn’t sure he could step aside if Dane expressed interest in her.

  Fuck that. Dane better have more than interest. If he didn’t have real feelings for Susie Chris was going for it. Susie needed to be swept off her feet. Candlelight, flowers, romance. Everything a girl could possibly dream of. By the time Chris was done she wouldn’t remember Dane’s name.

  Chuckling to himself, he descended the staircase and began to create his plan of attack. He might need Seb and Amanda to help as well.

  One night together had changed everything.

  Chapter Two

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  When Susie had come out of the shower Amanda was sitting on the bed filing her nails. Any hope Susie had that no one had noticed her leaving with Chris last night died instantly the moment she saw the look on Amanda’s face.

  Shit.

  “Well, well, well, come over here and start talking, missy. I want to hear every dirty detail,” Amanda declared. “And don’t leave anything out.”

  Susie sighed and tightened the belt on her robe. “I should have locked the door and I don’t want to talk about it.”

  “Tough.” Amanda laughed. “I’ve told you everything, now it’s your turn. So…is Chris as good as he looks? He has a calm and in control vibe that is very sexy.”

  “Don’t let Seb hear you say that. He might not appreciate you talking about his friends that way.”

  “Pooh,” Amanda retorted. “He knows I love him more than anything but I’m not deaf and blind to a sexy man, and Chris is one gorgeous stud.”

  “He’s okay.” Susie shrugged, careful not to let Amanda see the heat in her cheeks. Chris was much more than okay but she wasn’t ready to talk about it. Instead she began to rummage in the dresser for fresh panties and a bra. “Would you believe me if I said nothing happened?”

  “Nothing happened, my aunt Fanny. The way you two were kissing in the kitchen when you thought everyone was outside by the pool?” Amanda asked. “No, I would not believe it. I saw him take your hand and lead you up the stairs.”

  “You were spying on us?” Susie groaned in disgust, tossing the lingerie on the bed before retrieving shorts and a tank top from another drawer. “Is that what you and Seb are into? Voyeurism?”

  “You know very well that’s not what we’re into. But we were heading upstairs and there you were. We couldn’t miss you. We ducked behind the pantry so we wouldn’t bother you and eventually you moved the party to the bedroom.”

  Susie had been so lost in Chris’s kisses and caresses last night she wouldn’t have noticed a hand grenade going off next to her. The man had some serious skills and definitely knew his way around a woman’s body.

  Sitting down on the bed, Susie placed her head in her hands, her temples still throbbing from the champagne. “It was a mistake. It should never have happened and now I don’t even know how to face him.”

  “Why not?” Amanda sat up on the bed and swung her legs o
ff the side. “Chris is a great guy, you’re a great girl, everything is hunky-dory. Did he do something creepy last night?”

  Susie looked up and shook her head, not able to keep from telling her best friend the awful truth. “No, it was hot. He’s great in the sack but that’s not the point. It’s messed up everything.”

  “You mean it ruins things with Dane.”

  Susie scowled at her best friend. “This is not about Dane.”

  “Isn’t it? I think this is all about him. Any other woman would be thrilled about a terrific man like Chris being interested in them. But not you. So you’ll ruin everything for a man that’s barely acknowledged your existence in the world.”

  “He has too,” Susie denied. “He’s always been polite to me.”

  “And that’s all he’s been. Listen, Chris is a really good guy and a much better idea than this torch you’ve been carrying for Dane all these years.”

  “It isn’t a torch…it’s just a simple recognition of his undeniably attractive physical appearance.”

  “And the lingerie you bought when we were shopping? Who were you thinking might see it?”

  The thing about talking with your best friend was that she knew you as well or better than you knew yourself. Damn.

  But that didn’t mean she was ready to cop to it.

  “I don’t know what you mean,” Susie deflected. “I needed new undies, that’s all.”

  “Sure you did.” Amanda didn’t push the subject. “I just want to go on the record one more time in stating that Dane Braxton is a good guy but not the type that you want to get mixed up with romantically. He thinks women are only after his money and he’s never going to settle down.”

  “Maybe I only want a good time. Maybe I just want to have some fun for a change.”

  Amanda reached out and squeezed Susie’s hand. “You only want Dane because he represents something you think you lost.”